Afghanistan

Ján Kubiš, Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, at a press conference with presidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani. US Secretary of State John Kerry looks on.
Fardin Waezi/UNAMA

Afghan political rivals reach deal, political impasse broken

14 July 2014
General News

After a political impasse lasting weeks, the two candidates in Afghanistan’s presidential election have reached an agreement.

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In the wake of the announcement by the Independent Election Commission of the preliminary results for the country’s 2014 Presidential election run-off, UNAMA has noted that the results are not final and are subject to change, and that it would be premature for either of the candidates to claim victory.
Fardin Waezi/UNAMA

Afghanistan: UN proposes new audit plan to resolve stand-off over disputed election

11 July 2014
With President Hamid Karzai's successor still undeclared, the United Nations in Afghanistan today proposed an additional audit plan that would take up to two weeks to complete, in an effort to help resolve the stand-off.
Georgette Gagnon. UNAMA@PHOTO

Civilian casualties rise by 25% in Afghanistan

9 July 2014
General News

The number of civilians killed or wounded in Afghanistan has risen by 25 per cent in the first six months of 2014, according to a report by the UN mission in the country UNAMA.

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UNAMA's Human Rights Director, Georgette Gagnon, presents mid-year report on protection of civilians at a press conference in Kabul, 9 July 2014.
Fardin Waezi/UNAMA

Afghanistan: Ground combat taking ‘devastating’ civilian toll, says UN, reporting sharp rise in casualties

9 July 2014
The nature of the Afghan conflict has added yet another grim dimension as ground combat among the warring parties surpassed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as the leading cause of conflict-related death and injury to Afghan civilians in the first six months of 2014, the United Nations reported today.
Electoral workers in Afghanistan (left) assisting a voter in the 14 June 2014 second round run-off in the country's presidential elections.
UNAMA/Shamsudding Hamedi

Afghanistan: UN welcomes additional audit of polling stations in presidential run-off election

3 July 2014
The preliminary results from Afghanistan’s run-off presidential election will be announced on Monday, following a delay to allow an audit of a number of polling stations, both moves welcomed today by the United Nations.