Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the resistance front, voiced criticism of the recent report by UN Special Coordinator Feridun Sinirlioglu during a meeting in Moscow on Afghanistan.
He labeled the report as “incomplete and weak,” emphasizing the need for revisions and expressing concerns that implementing its recommendations could worsen the situation in Afghanistan.
The meeting, hosted by the Just World Institute under the title “Afghanistan between the Past and the Future: On the Path of a Just Peace and Sustainable Development,” aims to address Russia’s interest in stability in Afghanistan and the establishment of an all-inclusive political process against extremism, terrorism, drugs, and for social, humanitarian development, and international economic cooperation, according to a statement from Massoud’s office.
“The recent report by the UN special coordinator Mr. Feridun (Sinirlioglu) needs to be strengthened and completed in spite of all expectations, and from our point of view, it is weak and incomplete,” Massoud said.
He highlighted weaknesses in the report, including the lack of necessary links in prioritizing Afghanistan’s issues, failure to consider guaranteeing mechanisms, absence of preconditions in the world’s interaction with the Taliban, and an emphasis on solutions through traditional approaches without addressing the current situation.
Massoud described Afghanistan as a “black and ambiguous land for its people and a paradise for extremism, terrorism, criminal groups, smugglers, and others.”
He urged that any relationship with Afghanistan should be based on respect for the will of the Afghan people and emphasized the necessity of the people’s support for strategic relationships.
Mohammad Mohaqiq, a political figure, former MP Fawzia Koofi and Shukria Barikzai, the former ambassador of Afghanistan to Norway, have also participated in the meeting.
Addressing the current humanitarian situation in the country, Massoud proposed some suggestions:
Acknowledging Afghanistan’s deep political, economic, humanitarian, and security crisis.
Creating a large umbrella to gather all political forces to resolve the issue.
Allowing the people to participate in determining the political destiny through a referendum.
Establishing a government based on the will of the people and accountable to them.
Massoud emphasized the need for world support, especially from the region, to achieve these goals and expressed his disapproval of aligning Afghanistan with any of the world’s military blocs.
The Taliban this week announced its resignation from parts of Sinirlioglu’s report but opposed the appointment of a UN special representative for Afghanistan.
Key recommendations from the report include the appointment of a United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan, the continuation of special representatives meetings hosted by the United Nations, and the establishment of a global contact group.
