Afghanistan's 78th Anniversary of UN Membership Marks 'Darkest Period In History'

On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of Afghanistan's membership in the United Nations, Afghanistan's mission to the United Nations called on the world to fulfil its commitments to Afghanistan.

The anniversary came "at one of the darkest times in Afghanistan's history", the office said.

Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan's acting representative to the United Nations, said in a message on Tuesday that the lack of a legitimate government has isolated the country and that Afghanistan is in one of the deepest social, political and humanitarian crises.

Afghanistan became a member of the United Nations on November 19, 1946. Afghanistan's membership document in the United Nations was signed by Abdul Hussain Azizi, Afghanistan's representative at the time.

After nearly eight decades, the United Nations and none of its members have recognised the ruling regime in Afghanistan, and its seat has been lost. Due to non-payment of membership dues, no representative from Afghanistan is present in many UN committees and the country has lost its right to vote.

Afghanistan, with a long history of presence at the United Nations, is today in one of its darkest and most isolated periods, observers say.

Mirwais Balkhi, a researcher at the Wilson Centre in Washington, DC, referring to Afghanistan's situation at the United Nations, told Afghanistan International that regional governments, such as Pakistan and Iran, speak on behalf of this country in the organisation.

He stressed that the United Nations should play a more active role in resolving the long-term crisis in Afghanistan.

"Afghan people expect the United Nations to end the half-century conflict in Afghanistan through effective mediation and finding a political solution," Balkhi said.

Afghanistan joined the United Nations at a time when many countries in the region had not yet been formed, Balkhi said.

Referring to the Taliban's efforts to take over Afghanistan's seat at the United Nations, Balkhi stressed that the United Nations cannot decide on Afghanistan's seat alone, and this issue requires consensus among the member states of the Security Council. According to him, deep disagreements among the members of the Security Council have prevented the achievement of a common position.

Balkhi called Afghanistan's situation at the United Nations "unstable" and said, "It is not clear whether Afghanistan's seat in the United Nations will remain, be closed or be handed over to the Taliban."

Balkhi said that the United Nations refuses to formally cooperate with the Taliban despite humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. This situation has led to a kind of dichotomy: the United Nations is in contact with the Afghan people, but it does not recognise the ruling regime.

On the occasion of Afghanistan's membership in the United Nations, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Tuesday called the country a proud member of the international community.

In recent years, UNAMA has focused on building peace and sustainable development for the Afghan people.