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Dutch envoy says Afghanistan is at a crossroads in history

Published

5 years ago

July 2, 2021

Caecilia Wijgers, the Dutch ambassador to Kabul, said on Thursday her country will continue to provide development assistance to Afghanistan as long as it can be done safely and responsibly.

Speaking after the last of Netherlands’ troops withdrew from Afghanistan this week,Wijgers said in a statement: “Development cooperation and military and diplomatic efforts have achieved significant results … and the security sector – which had to be built more or less from scratch – has been solidly underpinned thanks to financial support and training missions.

“The country now has a democratically elected government that allows space for free media. But growing instability and a lack of security show that these results are not irreversible.”

She said there has also been a change in the mindset of the people of Afghanistan and that society is showing the will to bring about positive change, and the strength to do so.

“This is not the same Afghanistan that was conquered by the Taliban in the late 1990s,” she said.

“We are standing at a crossroads in history. A new generation of Afghans has arisen, including many women who are not afraid to speak out.

“That progress needs to be safeguarded. And we need to continue supporting these people. Many sacrifices have been made to promote security, stability and human rights in Afghanistan. By Afghans, and also by the 25 Dutch military personnel who gave their lives for this cause. And the job is not yet done,” she said.

Wijgers also stated that a stable and secure Afghanistan is in the interests of the wider world, to prevent the country from once again becoming a haven of international terrorism, and to prevent large migration flows resulting from instability and conflicts in the future.’

Wijgers also noted it was “important to make clear that the Netherlands and other NATO Allies are still in Afghanistan, despite the withdrawal of the troops. As long as it’s safe to do so, the Netherlands will have a presence in the country, and we will work from Kabul together with Afghan government and civil society leaders. Because the ultimate goal is to achieve lasting – and above all independent – stability in Afghanistan.”

According to her, the Netherlands will go on providing development assistance as long as this can be done safely and responsibly, and as long as Dutch efforts remain sustainable.

“Among other things, our support is helping to build and strengthen the police and judicial sectors, to protect the Afghan people by enhancing the security of their communities, and to carry on demining activities. NATO will also continue to assist Afghanistan, for example by funding the Afghan armed forces,” she said.

Wijgers said peace talks between the Afghan Republic and the Taliban offer the best prospect of a stable and secure Afghanistan. “But this will take a great deal of effort and time to achieve. There is a very real chance that instability will increase again in the coming period, now that the Taliban are capturing more and more territory,” she said.

However, she stated the Netherland’s was not turning its back on Afghanistan – despite their troops having withdrawn.

“As we see it, now that we’re on board we can’t just abandon ship. It’s important that we remain committed to Afghanistan. So that everyone who has the courage to defend human rights can be supported. They are the agents of change. We are still there, for them and with them,” she said.

Wijgers said it was also important that the Afghan police continue to function effectively and that the Netherlands has invested a great deal in efforts to ensure this.

She went on to state that before “you can develop and progress, either as an individual or as a country, you first need to be able to exit survival mode.

“The people of Afghanistan are suffering from a collective trauma. For over 40 years, the country has been ravaged by conflict. Every family has lost someone, or seen someone killed.

“More and more victims of the country’s violent past are uniting to make their voices heard. For example at the peace talks in Doha, or in efforts to improve their own economic development. There also needs to be recognition of the suffering endured in order to move on,” she said.

Wijgers noted that despite the increasing violence, life in Afghanistan is not at a standstill. Children are going to school, and a growing number of women are attending higher education centers.

“In fact, at Herat University, over half the students are women.

“I have come to know the Afghans as a courageous, strong and proud people. They carry on resiliently, despite all they’ve gone through, and literally risk their lives every day to be able to do their work. We cannot abandon these people,” she said.

“Afghanistan has enormous potential and much to offer the world. But to achieve that, the country needs peace and stability. That remains its biggest challenge.”

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Afghan minister says ‘outsiders’ should not claim to support Afghanistan’s independence

The meeting was attended by governors of Sar-e-Pul and Samangan provinces, local officials, religious scholars, and a number of local residents.

Published

8 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Ariana News

Minister of Borders, Ethnic Affairs and Tribes Noorullah Noori has said that those who interfered in Afghanistan over the past twenty years should now not claim to support a “free and independent Afghanistan.”

According to a statement, Noori made the remarks during a public gathering titled “Unity and Coordination with the People” held in the Kohistanat district of northern Sar-e-Pul province, during his official visit to the province.

The meeting was attended by governors of Sar-e-Pul and Samangan provinces, local officials, religious scholars, and a number of local residents.

Noori stated that under the Islamic system, the beliefs, history, freedom, and values of the Afghan people are protected and safeguarded. He added that those who, over the past twenty years, tested the Afghan people for their own “malicious objectives” should not now claim to support Afghanistan’s independence.

He further emphasized that the people of Afghanistan are not aligned with the Islamic Emirate out of compulsion, but rather support the Islamic system based on faith, ideology, culture, and political belief.

Participants of the gathering also stressed the importance of strengthening the Islamic system and enhancing national unity. They stated that the current system enjoys domestic legitimacy among the Afghan people and that those plotting against it are not accepted by society.

They further added that they will continue to defend the existing system through unity and solidarity and will not allow insecurity or external interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

International Sports

FIFA World Cup group stage wraps up; moves into high-stakes knock out round

With the safety net of the group stage now gone, every match will produce either jubilation or heartbreak.

Published

9 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Ariana News

The group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially concluded, with the tournament now shifting into the high-stakes knockout round where every match becomes do-or-die.

The Round of 32 gets underway today, with one of the tournament’s biggest surprise stories taking centre stage as South Africa face co-hosts Canada at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

While traditional football powerhouses such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, England and the Netherlands safely progressed to the knockout phase, this year’s expanded 48-team tournament has also produced one of African football’s greatest World Cup campaigns.

For the first time in tournament history, nine African nations have qualified for the knockout rounds, underlining the continent’s growing strength on football’s biggest stage.

Morocco once again demonstrated why they remain one of Africa’s elite sides, finishing second behind Brazil in Group C with seven points after an impressive campaign that included a draw against the five-time world champions.

Ghana also lived up to expectations by advancing from a difficult Group L, while Senegal secured qualification from Group I after another composed and disciplined tournament.

However, the biggest headlines belonged to Africa’s emerging football nations.

South Africa completed one of the stories of the tournament by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time after defeating South Korea 1-0 in a dramatic final group match. Bafana Bafana, who were given little chance of progressing before the competition began, have become one of the World Cup’s surprise packages.

Ivory Coast also reached the last 32 for the first time after recovering from defeat to Germany with convincing victories over Ecuador and Curaçao.

Egypt booked their place after earning a crucial draw against Iran, while Algeria secured qualification following an entertaining 3-3 draw with Austria.

Cape Verde has perhaps captured the imagination of football fans more than any other African nation. The island nation remained unbeaten through the group stage, earning draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to advance in their World Cup debut knockout appearance. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha produced a series of memorable performances, including a standout display against Spain.

The Democratic Republic of Congo also made history, recording their first-ever World Cup victory with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan to secure a place in the knockout rounds.

Africa’s representatives now face a daunting but exciting set of Round of 32 fixtures. South Africa meet Canada in the opening knockout match on Sunday, Morocco take on the Netherlands, Ghana face Colombia, Ivory Coast battle Norway, DR Congo play England, Senegal meet Belgium, Algeria face Switzerland, Egypt take on Australia, and Cape Verde will test themselves against defending champions Argentina.

The knockout stage also features an impressive mix of football’s traditional heavyweights and emerging nations. Hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States all advanced, alongside Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, England, Belgium, Portugal, Colombia, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Morocco.

With the safety net of the group stage now gone, every match will produce either jubilation or heartbreak. For Africa, however, the tournament has already become one to remember. Nine nations remain in contention, carrying not only their own ambitions but the hopes of an entire continent into the World Cup’s decisive rounds.

Fans across Afghanistan can tune in to Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) daily to watch this exciting event unfold as ATN has the exclusive rights to broadcast the event across the country live.

Football fans are encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News’ social media pages for updates, latest stats and match schedules so as not to miss out on the action.

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Afghanistan remains central to SCO–UN talks in New York Consultations

According to the SCO Secretariat, the meeting was held on June 26 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where both sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues related to mutual cooperation.

Published

9 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Ariana News

The Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) says that Afghanistan and efforts to ensure stability in the country were among the key topics discussed during the fourth round of consultations with the United Nations Secretariat.

The United Nations delegation provided updates on its work under the “Climate, Peace and Security” agenda, ongoing efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, and support for Central Asian countries in maintaining sustainable peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, the SCO Secretariat briefed the UN side on preparations for the upcoming Bishkek Summit, the outcomes of ministerial meetings held under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship, and progress on institutional reforms within the organization.

The SCO Secretariat added that the consultations were conducted in a constructive atmosphere.