Markus Potzel Meets Taliban’s Deputy PM in Kabul

Markus Potzel, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, who arrived in Kabul on July 3rd , met with Abdul Salaam Hanafi, Taliban’s deputy Prime Minister, this afternoon. He said that United Nations will aid the victims of the earthquake in Afghanistan.

Potzel, who was previously Germany’s ambassador in Afghanistan, had been appointed as new Deputy Special Representative of UNSG on June 17, 2022.

As Deborah Lyons, former head of UNAMA and UNSG special representative in Afghanistan, ended her mission in Afghanistan in mid-June, currently Markus Potzel, is also the acting head of UNAMA office in Afghanistan.

“It's with a sense of honour and respect that I've returned to Afghanistan, this time as a deputy UNAMA head. I'm committed to working for the Afghan people as their country goes through a crucial juncture in its modern history”, he said.

The reopening of girls’ secondary schools, respecting human rights, and women’s rights and the formation of an inclusive government are among the main issues raised by the UN towards the Taliban.