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Improvements in Afghanistan’s security critical to development efforts – UN official

Improvements in Afghanistan’s security critical to development efforts – UN official

USG Guéhenno
Amid stepped-up clashes in Afghanistan, including violent protests, factional clashes and suicide attacks, a United Nations official today warned that enhanced security in the country is necessary for realizing international plans for its development.

“It could not be more clear that improvements in security are essential if the promise of the Afghanistan Compact is to be realized,” Jean-Marie Guéhenno, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, told the Security Council.

The Compact, launched earlier this month at a Conference in London, received widespread international support, including pledges of new financial assistance to Afghanistan amounting to $10.5 billion. It sets out an agenda for sustained and prolonged engagement in the country with a view to consolidating democratic institutions, curbing insecurity, controlling the illegal drug trade, stimulating the economy, enforcing the law, providing basic services to the Afghan people and protecting their human rights.

Through the Compact, Mr. Guéhenno said, the Afghan Government committed itself to meeting a wide range of goals, while the international community pledged long-term support for this process.

But against this backdrop of international engagement, Afghanistan in recent weeks has seen a rising level of violence. Anti-government elements and Afghan forces have seen their fiercest fighting in recent years earlier this month in Helmand province. There, Police and Afghan National Army soldiers were ambushed by up to 200 insurgents. Their five-hour battle left three Afghan National Police Officers dead and nine wounded.

The controversy over cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad widely considered to be offensive sparked demonstrations involving up to 5,000 people in Afghanistan, Mr. Guéhenno said. Although largely peaceful, they turned violent in a number of localities. Some UN staff had to be temporarily relocated as a result.

Mr. Guéhenno also reported clashes yesterday in Heart between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims which left at least five people dead. As the authorities work to calm the situation, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is closely monitoring developments.

Suicide attacks have also been reported this month, including the 2 February attack which left three Afghan National Army soldiers and five civilians dead.

With UNAMA’s mandate set to expire on 24 March, Mr. Guéhenno said the Secretary-General will submit recommendations on the future role of the UN in Afghanistan by the middle of that month.