Taliban Reiterates Opposition to Appointment of New Special Representative for Afghanistan

Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Taliban, responded to the remarks made by the UN Secretary-General spokesperson, stating that appointing a special representative for Afghanistan is an unnecessary step.

He emphasised that with the presence of UNAMA in Afghanistan, there is no need for the appointment of a new special representative.

The Taliban-controlled Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) reported on Tuesday that Fitrat stated, "Now that there is peace and stability in Afghanistan and the era of war and bloodshed is over, there is no need for the appointment of another representative alongside UNAMA."

This Taliban official reacted to the appointment of a special representative for Afghanistan, while Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, stated on Monday that the process of appointing a special representative for Afghanistan by the organisation is ongoing.

Not long ago, Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, responded to statements made by the head of the UN Security Council, stating that the selection of a UN special representative for Afghanistan is "unacceptable”.

He stated, "We seek to engage with the international community and address issues based on our interests and principles."

The United Nations has been deliberating over the appointment of a special representative for Afghanistan for months, but the Taliban has consistently opposed such an appointment.

The group said that the Security Council resolution, which called for the appointment of a special representative for Afghanistan, was passed without consulting the Taliban.