Afghanistan’s representative to the United Nations, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, delivered a stark assessment of Afghanistan’s situation during a recent session of the United Nations Security Council, warning that nearly five years after the Taliban’s return to power, the country remains mired in a profound political, humanitarian, and security crisis.
Addressing Council members, Faiq said the international community must confront the reality that the Taliban authorities have taken no meaningful steps toward moderation or constructive engagement since assuming control of Afghanistan in 2021. Instead, he warned, governance under the group has become increasingly rigid, exclusionary, and unaccountable.
“Nearly five years into Taliban rule, no meaningful steps toward moderation or engagement have been taken,” Faiq told the Council, emphasizing that the country’s political system has grown more restrictive and detached from the aspirations of the Afghan people.
Faiq described Afghanistan as facing a multifaceted crisis encompassing social, humanitarian, economic, and political dimensions. According to his remarks, governance under Taliban authorities has been characterized by intimidation, reprisals against former members of Afghan security forces, and the dismantling of institutions that once aimed to represent Afghanistan’s diverse political and social landscape.
He stressed that the erosion of inclusive governance structures has further weakened the country’s already fragile political environment, leaving millions of Afghans uncertain about their future and increasingly dependent on humanitarian assistance.
The Afghan envoy warned that without meaningful reforms and inclusive governance, prospects for long-term stability in the country will remain elusive.
A significant portion of Faiq’s statement focused on the worsening situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. He told the Security Council that Afghan women have been “systematically erased from public life,” highlighting the sweeping restrictions placed on their education, employment, and participation in society.
Faiq noted that an entire generation of Afghan girls is being denied access to education beyond primary levels, a policy that has drawn widespread condemnation from international organizations and governments worldwide.
“The exclusion of women from education and public life is not only a violation of fundamental rights but also a devastating blow to Afghanistan’s long-term development and social stability,” he said.
Beyond domestic governance issues, Faiq also raised alarm over the security implications of the current situation in Afghanistan. He warned that the country has become a “permissive environment” for international terrorist groups, raising concerns about regional and global security.
According to the Afghan representative, these developments contradict commitments made by the Taliban under the Doha Agreement, which outlined assurances related to counterterrorism and the prevention of terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
Faiq cautioned that the continued presence and activity of such groups could undermine both regional stability and broader international security efforts.
In his concluding remarks, Faiq urged the international community to maintain a principled and conditional approach in its engagement with Taliban authorities. He stressed that sustainable stability, effective counterterrorism, and meaningful development cannot be achieved under a system that lacks accountability and inclusivity.
He emphasized that the Afghan people seek a future defined by dignity, opportunity, and justice.
“Afghans aspire to a country where children can attend school, women can work and participate in society with dignity, and where accountability replaces impunity,” Faiq said.
Faiq’s address comes at a time when Afghanistan continues to grapple with severe economic hardship, humanitarian challenges, and political uncertainty. International organizations have repeatedly warned that without significant policy changes and inclusive governance, the country’s crisis could deepen further.
His remarks at the Security Council underscore ongoing debates within the international community about how best to engage with the Taliban while supporting the rights and aspirations of the Afghan people.
