Kabul hold RECCA, SOM Summits despite Security Threats, Cold Reactions

Reaction of the representatives of the nations that have been engaged in Afghanistan’s rebuilding and came together in the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on Saturday in Kabul was disappointing.

Kabul hosted the sixth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) and Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) Summits on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Afghan participants believe that despite of commitments it was cold than previous years, but others say holding two big summits with huge security threats was a success for Afghan government.

“My findings say it was colder than previous years, there was not such excitement like before; though commitments being made by Afghan partners like the U.S., UK, India and others,” Zarqa Yaftali a participant at the SOM conference said.

Jawid Kohistani a political expert believes it was a big challenge for Afghanistan, but Kabul could attract the International Community, said: “despite of the insecurities, it was hopeful for Afghanistan, it revealed that Afghan partners still care about Afghanistan”.

Aziz Rafi another participant at the SOM said,” Kabul was well-prepared, the government provided well programs, it showed that Afghanistan still has its main donors such us the America, the World Bank and others, but the most important point was their view regarding the future of Afghanistan, Afghanistan was able to develop a regional integration”.

The objective of the meetings was to think over together how to get this war-wracked country out of the tunnel of troubles.

Amidst a thickening cloud of political chaos, deteriorating security situation, dwindling national economy, the success of the meeting means too much for a country like Afghanistan.

The next meeting of SOM is slated to be held in Belgian capital Brussels next year where the delegates will review the continued global aid to Afghanistan.

Reported by: Farahnaz Froton