By Humayoon Babur | May 19, 2024
As the world’s attention is diverted to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, Afghanistan faces increasing isolation. International community support has dwindled, foreign aid is rapidly diminishing, and diplomatic ties with other nations are weakening. The country, once at the forefront of global concern—now struggles to maintain its visibility on the international stage, with the U.N.’s mission in Afghanistan particularly affected by this shift in priorities.
The upcoming 3rd Doha meeting holds significant potential— If Taliban delegations participate alongside other Afghan figures, it could signal a positive shift for the future of women and the country itself, offering a glimmer of hope for renewed international engagement and support.
The Unseen Crisis
The Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021 has marked a return to a more conservative form of governance, exacerbating poverty and undermining basic human rights. Today, nearly 90% of the population lives in poverty. The hope that international recognition and aid might encourage the Taliban to reform, particularly regarding their gender policies, has not materialized. Instead, the Taliban have solidified their grip, showing little inclination to heed international demands.
Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan’s former president, recently highlighted the gravity of the situation in a conversation with Rosemary A. DiCarlo, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs. “The international community must prioritize the well-being and education of Afghan citizens. National understanding and peace are crucial for our country’s future,” Karzai said in a press release.
The Taliban’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Motaqi, engaged in discussions regarding the agenda and participants of the upcoming third Doha meeting with Rosemary A. DiCarlo, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, during a meeting in Kabul on Sunday.
According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. DiCarlo indicated that the third Doha meeting would address various pressing issues, including financial and banking matters, combating drug trafficking, and aiding farmers.
Although the United Nations has refrained from issuing an official statement regarding this meeting, the Taliban assert that the senior U.N. official emphasized the “primary objective” of the third Doha gathering as “normalizing relations with the international community” concerning Afghanistan.
Nevertheless, the international community remains steadfast in its insistence on the Taliban lifting restrictions on the rights of women and girls.
A Struggle for Legitimacy
The Taliban’s quest for legitimacy is rooted in their violent struggle and ideological rigidity. Their governance model prioritizes divine approval over popular support—dismissing concepts of democratic legitimacy. This worldview complicates international efforts to foster meaningful dialogue and reform.
Maulvi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban conveyed during a meeting with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations in Kabul that the Taliban’s participation in the upcoming third Doha meeting hinges upon the acceptance of its “position.”
He asserted that Afghanistan is under the complete control of the Taliban, emphasizing that the country operates under “an emir and adheres to the Taliban’s directives,”
Kabir stated on Sunday, “The previous Doha meeting was deemed incomplete due to organizational shortcomings, and the Islamic Emirate’s stance must be acknowledged in the forthcoming meeting to facilitate the participation of the Taliban delegation.”
Voices from Kabul: Women Restrictions
In Kabul, the human toll of the Taliban’s policies is painfully evident. Lila Khonum, a young girl living in the city, expresses a faint hope amidst the despair. “I am optimistic that the Taliban will ease the ban on girls’ education and reconsider other restrictions,” she addes. Her optimism is a poignant reminder of the resilience and aspirations of Afghan youth, even in the face of systemic oppression.
Basimena Jalali, another Kabul resident, is less hopeful. “The ongoing situation must end. It is impossible to survive like this for long. We live in a different world, and our rulers should understand the importance of time,” she said.
The International Community’s Role
Civil society activists and members of the political Afghan diaspora emphasize the need for a reassessment of strategies towards Afghanistan as the international community prepares for the third Doha meeting. They stress the importance of implementing Security Council resolution 2721 (2023) and appointing a special envoy with a robust human rights background. This envoy should engage actively with the Taliban, as well as with Afghan civil society, including women’s rights activists within and outside the country.
Qatar’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalifi, urged the Taliban to send their representatives to the upcoming third meeting of special envoys in Doha. In a meeting with Abdul Ghani Baradar, on Thursday, Khalifa expressed Qatar’s hope for the third Doha meeting to yield conclusive results with Taliban representation.
The Taliban’s Deputy Minister of Economy’s Press Office stated in a press release today that Mullah Baradar met with Qatar’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in his office.
During the meeting, the Taliban’s economic deputy stressed that the international conference on Afghanistan cannot conclude without their representation.
Experts in international affairs suggest that countries like Russia, Qatar, China, and Turkey, each with its unique geopolitical position, could potentially play a significant role. They propose the formation of an international contact group to facilitate ongoing dialogue with the Taliban and other key Afghan stakeholders. This group should adopt a sustainable, process-oriented approach to dialogue, moving beyond isolated events towards lasting solutions.
Pathways to a Stable Future
Experts in international affairs encourage key players and active stakeholders in the case of Afghanistan to adopt a phased approach with clear milestones towards inclusive governance in Afghanistan. This means setting transparent technical conditions for aid delivery and ensuring the Taliban cannot misuse these agreements for propaganda. Public acknowledgment of these agreements by the Taliban’s leadership is crucial.
Furthermore, reinforcing the global consensus on a coordinated approach towards the Taliban is essential. The Secretary General of the United Nations must continue to lead and engage actively to maintain this consensus. By prioritizing long-term perspectives over short-term gains, the international community can honor the courage and aspirations of Afghan activists and ensure that the decisions made in Doha reflect broader aims of freedom and equality.
The path forward is fraught with complexities, but with thoughtful, inclusive planning and international support, Afghanistan can indeed unlock its potential as a unique travel destination and a stable, prosperous nation.
As the world watches, the decisions made now will determine the future of millions of Afghans yearning for peace, stability, and basic human rights. The Taliban must recognize that their legitimacy depends not only on divine approval but also on the well-being and rights of the Afghan people.
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