Afghanistan: Security Council extends mandate of UN mission for another year

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan for another one year so it can continue supporting the country as it goes through the process of assuming full responsibility for its security, governance and development efforts.

In a unanimously adopted resolution extending the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 23 March 2013, the Council called on the world body, with the support of the international community, to back the Government’s so-called National Priority Programmes.

The programmes include security, governance, justice and economic and social development projects.

The Council stated that UNAMA and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General will “within their mandate and guided by the principle of reinforcing Afghan sovereignty, leadership and ownership, …continue to lead and coordinate the international civilian efforts, in accordance with the London and Kabul Conference Communiqués and the Bonn Conference Conclusions.”

Earlier this week, Special Representative Jan Kubiš, who heads UNAMA, told the Council that the transition process in the country remains on track despite recent incidents of violence.

Efforts are ongoing to strengthen the capacity of national institutions to maintain rule of law and provide services to the population, he said.

“The transition so far has been on track and on target and the Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF) have proven that they are up to the task,” he said, referring to the gradual transfer of security responsibilities from the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to national authorities.