US & UAE Officials Discuss Implementation Of UN Resolution About Afghanistan

They emphasised on the importance of joint cooperation to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2721 and to assist the Afghan people, particularly women.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on the X social media platform on Monday that the two sides discussed "collaboration on a pathway towards security, stability, and prosperity for all the people of Afghanistan, especially Afghan women”.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' note did not specify which issues related to Resolution 2721, adopted on December 29, 2023, were discussed by Nusseibeh and West.

At that time, Nusseibeh was the UAE's ambassador to the United Nations and, alongside Western countries critical of the Taliban, proposed several resolutions in support of Afghan women and against the prohibition of women's education and employment.

Resolution 2721 addresses how to engage with the Taliban government in Afghanistan. It was adopted with the aim of creating a coherent and coordinated international approach to restore peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The resolution emphasises on the appointment of a UN special coordinator for Afghanistan.

The Taliban oppose the appointment of a new representative with full authority, considering the presence of the head of UNAMA in Afghanistan to be sufficient.

In this meeting, Nusseibeh stressed on the importance of supporting Afghan women's rights and strengthening their role in society.

West also expressed appreciation for the UAE's support and emphasised on the continuation of bilateral cooperation to advance shared goals.

Tom West wrote on X social media platform that the two countries share common views on the economy, security situation, and the need for a unified diplomatic approach towards Afghanistan.

Media Should Refrain from Broadcasting Content Contrary to Islamic Sharia, Says Taliban

May 21, 2024, 10:22 GMT+1

The Taliban's Minister of the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Khalid Hanafi, has urged media officials to refrain from activities against "Islamic Sharia and Afghan culture," stating that such actions are unacceptable to the group.

Hanafi emphasised that the media should contribute to the "Islamic education" of the next generation.

Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), under Taliban control, reported on the meeting between officials from the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and media representatives in Kabul.

During this meeting, Hanafi reiterated his request for media activities to align with "Islamic Sharia”.

Earlier, Taliban intelligence officials in Parwan instructed the media to implement the "principles of Islamic Sharia and the Islamic Emirate (Taliban)”.

Additionally, the Taliban’s intelligence directorate has warned journalists in other provinces that they will face consequences if they act against Taliban principles.

The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on media and journalists, enforcing censorship and preventing the unfiltered broadcasting of people's problems.

Over the past three years, the Taliban have shut down some media outlets, harassed, imprisoned, and tortured journalists.

Media support organisations view these actions by the Taliban as violations of freedom of expression and have called on the group to lift the existing restrictions on media and journalists.

2 Taliban Members Killed In Attack In Kabul, Says AFF

May 21, 2024, 09:31 GMT+1

The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) announced on Monday that it attacked a Taliban checkpoint of the group’s Ministry of Defence in the Karte Naw area.

The Front claimed that "two Taliban members were killed and another was injured" in this attack.

Residents of Kabul also told Afghanistan International that they heard a relatively loud explosion in the city.

In a note on the X social media platform, AFF wrote that a directorate of the Taliban’s Ministry of Defence has been "setting up checkpoints in the Chaman-e-Huzuri and Karte Naw areas of Kabul, causing harassment to the people”.

The Taliban have not yet commented on this attack.

UN Under-Secretary-General Discusses Doha Meeting With Former Afghan Officials

May 20, 2024, 12:02 GMT+1

Hamid Karzai, the former Afghan President, and Abdullah Abdullah, the former Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, discussed the third Doha meeting and other topics with UN Under-Secretary-General, Rosemary DiCarlo, on Sunday.

Karzai stated that they emphasised on national understanding to achieve lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

In a note on the X social media platform, the former President mentioned that he and Abdullah stressed on the importance of women's education for the country's development.

The two prominent politicians also appreciated the United Nations' assistance towards the flood victims in northern Afghanistan.

DiCarlo visited Kabul to persuade the Taliban to participate in the third Doha meeting. The group has stated that they will only participate if their demands are met.

Taliban Lifts Ban on Former President’s Travel, Claim Sources

May 20, 2024, 10:59 GMT+1

Sources have told Afghanistan International that the Taliban group has lifted the travel ban on former Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, allowing him to travel abroad.

According to credible sources in Kabul, Karzai will soon travel to Germany for medical treatment.

Recently, sources mentioned that the former president wanted to go to Germany for a minor eye surgery, but the Taliban prevented him from doing so.

Karzai had been denied permission to travel for over a year. His last trip was to the United Kingdom.

In April 2023, he traveled to London, where he met and held discussions with King Charles III.

3rd Doha Meeting Provides Opportunities For Bilateral Cooperation, Says Taliban’s FM

May 20, 2024, 10:13 GMT+1

The Taliban's Foreign Minister, during a meeting with the UN Under-Secretary-General, stated that the group did not find its "ceremonial presence" at the recent Doha meeting beneficial, which is why they did not participate in the second Doha meeting.

Amir Khan Muttaqi mentioned that according to the agenda of the third Doha meeting, a "bilateral cooperation groundwork" will be established.

According to Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), Muttaqi met Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for political and peace-building affairs, on Sunday.

RTA reported that DiCarlo, referring to the third Doha meeting, said that in addition to representatives of member countries and international organisations, representatives from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank would also participate.

Earlier, the main topics of the third Doha meeting had been outlined as "financial and banking issues, drug control, alternative crops for Afghan farmers, and the impacts of climate change”.

Previously, Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) announced readiness for the third Doha meeting focusing on Afghanistan.

Otunbayeva did not provide a specific schedule for the third Doha meeting.

Previously, the Taliban refrained from participating in the second Doha meeting, which was held on February 18-19 last year with the presence of special representatives for Afghanistan from various countries.

The group had requested the UN to ensure that only the Taliban represent Afghanistan at this meeting and had objected to the presence of Afghan civil society representatives.

Regarding Afghanistan's representation at the UN, the Taliban's Foreign Minister told the Under-Secretary-General that "the real representative of Afghanistan at the UN should represent the [Taliban] regime and obstacles in this regard should be removed”.

Currently, the Taliban's efforts to obtain Afghanistan's seat at the UN have failed, and it remains held by the representative of the former government.

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