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Koofi and Gailani discuss peace process with Norweigan diplomat
In a virtual discussion with Audun Halvorsen, the State Secretary at Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fatima Gailani and Fawzia Koofi, members of the Republic’s peace talks team, discussed the importance of the role and presence of women in the peace process.
Gailani said that today’s Afghanistan is different from what it was in the past – by having gained “experience from past problems and lessons learned”.
She said: “Our achievements in various fields are vitally important.”
Emphasizing the effective use of current opportunities to achieve lasting peace in the country, she said that the protection of women’s rights and the participation of women in politics is key to ensuring a bright future for Afghanistan.
Stating that the role of the UN and strengthening regional consensus and the role of neighboring countries in supporting the peace process is of significant importance, Gailani said that there is a need to strengthen coordination and coherence among international partners to get them to support this process.
Fawzia Koofi, meanwhile spoke about recent developments in the peace process, and mentioned the negotiating team’s efforts to stop targeted killings and the ongoing violence, and to establish a durable ceasefire.
Stressing the importance of continuing the peace negotiations, Koofi said: “Clear and measured mechanisms are needed to move the peace process forward, and the Negotiating Team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has worked on these mechanisms.”
She emphasized the role of international partners in continuing their cooperation for a stable Afghanistan, and said that establishing peace and security in Afghanistan is crucial to regional stability.
Koofi also spoke about the importance of international guarantees and the United Nations’ role in ensuring peace in Afghanistan, saying that parties who make decisions regarding the peace process must ensure that the decisions will lead Afghanistan to peace and stability.
The State Secretary in the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway also said that the country, together with the international community, will continue to support the Afghanistan peace process and will work for achieving sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan.
A 20-year-old Afghan migrant has been arrested in Germany over the alleged sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl inside a school toilet in the city of Koblenz.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on April 28 after the suspect and another man allegedly entered the school premises. Investigators say the suspect cornered the girl in the restroom while a second 19-year-old man allegedly restrained her during the attack.
The girl reportedly told her older sister about the incident two days later. Her family then located the suspect at a nearby residence and informed police.
German authorities arrested the suspect on May 4. He remains in pre-trial detention and has been charged with committing sexual acts against a child on school grounds.
The Koblenz prosecutor’s office confirmed the suspect’s Afghan nationality to German broadcaster SWR. Prosecutors also stated that the man had previously been under investigation in another alleged sexual offence case. He had earlier been fined for possessing a blank-firing pistol without a licence.
Police said the second suspect is still being investigated as a suspected accomplice and remains at large.
Authorities have not yet clarified how the two men allegedly gained access to the school property.
Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), left for Baku on Friday at the head of an official delegation to participate in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), a major international gathering focused on sustainable urban development and environmental challenges.
The forum, organized by UN-Habitat, is scheduled to take place from May 17 to 22 in the Azerbaijani capital under the theme “Housing for All: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
According to Afghan officials, the delegation will participate in a series of technical meetings and discussions on climate change, environmental protection in urban areas, sustainable development, waste management, green cities, air pollution control and strengthening urban resilience.
The World Urban Forum is regarded as one of the world’s leading platforms on urbanization and environmental policy, bringing together government officials, mayors, international organizations, climate experts and development institutions from across the globe.
On the sidelines of the event, Khalis and accompanying officials are also expected to meet with representatives of international organizations, donor agencies and foreign governments to discuss environmental cooperation, technical support and future joint initiatives.
Afghanistan’s environmental authority described participation in the forum as an important opportunity to expand international engagement, exchange experiences and seek practical solutions to the country’s growing environmental and urban challenges.
The visit comes as Afghanistan faces increasing concerns over climate-related risks, rapid urbanization, air pollution and environmental degradation, issues that officials say require broader regional and international cooperation.
Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), told a U.S. Senate committee on Thursday that Afghanistan remains a major focus for Washington in terms of terrorist activity and regional security threats.
Speaking during a hearing before lawmakers, Cooper said Afghanistan continues to be “on the forefront” of U.S. monitoring efforts regarding militant groups.
“Afghanistan remains on the forefront of what we are watching in terms of terrorist activity,” he told the committee.
The CENTCOM commander added that the United States is working closely with regional partners to contain and suppress potential threats emerging from Afghanistan.
The remarks come as U.S. officials continue to express concerns over the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American forces from the country in 2021.
The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied presence of militant groups in Afghanistan, emphasizing that it will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country.
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