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IEA accuses ‘selfish circles’ of taking UN ‘hostage’ over Afghanistan situation
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said in response to the UN Security Council’s meeting on Afghanistan on Tuesday that discussions and opinions delivered by member states failed to focus on important issues and instead focused on two “minor” domestic topics – women’s education and employment.
In a statement issued early Wednesday, the IEA’s spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, stated that the issue of general security in Afghanistan, the general amnesty, peace and stability, economic development, formation of security forces, preparation of budgets from internal revenue, and the handover of the UN seat to the IEA should have been the focus of discussions.
“The fact that there was no mention of this, because the pressure and imposition were focused on politics, shows that the selfish circles are still at war with us and they have also taken the United Nations organization hostage and are using it against us,” read the statement.
Mujahid said that the people of Afghanistan recognize their system and emirate, trust their leaders and strongly support their system.
“The people of Afghanistan have a priority to teach their religion and the national interests of their country are important to them,” Mujahid said, adding that “for these great goals, they have sacrificed youths and will take care and protect them.”
This comes after the UN special representative for Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva told the council that the international community must continue to engage with IEA leaders in Afghanistan despite deep disagreement with their approach to women’s rights and inclusive governance.
She also said however that “the lack of trust on all sides is a serious impediment to building confidence but the doors to dialogue are still open.”
Hundreds of former U.S. officials are calling on Washington to cancel a reported plan to relocate Afghan refugees from Qatar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In an open letter addressed to the U.S. State Department, more than 600 former civilian and military officials, along with around 100 organizations, urged the administration to stop the proposed transfer. The letter was sent to Marco Rubio.
The signatories argue that the Afghan nationals in question were brought to Qatar by the United States to complete legal immigration procedures after undergoing extensive security vetting. The letter states that while the individuals were cleared for resettlement in the United States, they are now being considered for relocation to Congo, a country for which they were never screened.
“Those individuals were vetted and approved for the United States, not for the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the letter reads.
According to the report, more than 1,100 Afghan allies and their family members are currently being held at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar under U.S. supervision. Around 800 of them have already completed all security checks and received authorization to travel to the United States. More than half are women and children, and many have remained in transit limbo for over 15 months.
The situation has drawn criticism from former officials and policy observers, who describe the proposed relocation as a betrayal of Afghan allies who supported U.S. missions and risked their lives during the war in Afghanistan. Critics also warn that the move could damage U.S. credibility with future partners.
Several members of the U.S. Congress had previously expressed opposition to the proposal, cautioning that it could significantly undermine trust in the United States among its allies.
Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former special envoy for Afghanistan, has said that no country should interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, stressing that it is up to Afghans themselves to bring about any change in their country.
In a post on X, Durrani said Afghans should be “left to their own devices” and that they would eventually “find the way out” of their challenges.
However, he warned that instability inside Afghanistan could have negative consequences for neighbouring countries, adding that Afghan leaders and their supporters should take responsibility to address such risks.
Durrani described his remarks as a simple expression of goodwill and best wishes for the Afghan people and their future.
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Uzbekistan and Japan discuss joint projects for Afghanistan’s socio-economic development
The Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, has met with Tetsuya Yamada, Director General of the South Asia Department at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to discuss cooperation on Afghanistan-related development projects.
According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides focused on the implementation of joint initiatives aimed at supporting the socio-economic development of Afghanistan.
During the meeting, the Japanese side praised Uzbekistan’s “pragmatic approach” toward Afghanistan, as well as the infrastructure developed in the border city of Termez.
Japan also expressed interest in utilizing the Termez facilities for future humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, private sector development, and counter-narcotics efforts.
Both sides emphasized that such cooperation is aimed at improving the living conditions and overall well-being of the Afghan people.
Former US officials urge halt to plan relocating Afghan refugees from Qatar to Congo
James Webb Telescope captures clearest-ever view of exoplanet’s surface
Ex-Pakistan envoy Durrani urges non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan and Japan discuss joint projects for Afghanistan’s socio-economic development
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Etihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
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Saar: Ongoing criticism of Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy discussed
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