KABUL - The United Nations and Russia on Wednesday voiced their concerns at the emergence of the Islamic State in Afghanistan and its efforts to unite insurgents there.
UNAMA head Nicholas Haysom expressed his apprehension while briefing the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan. He also touched on renewed efforts to revive the peace drive.
Attempts were ongoing to broker an end to 13 years of conflict in the country, where a UN-mandated combat mission ended in December 2014, the diplomat said.
Haysom informed the 15-member body: "It is UNAMA's assessment that the group's presence is of concern, but that ISIL's significance is not so much a function of its intrinsic capacities in the area…”
However, he explained, the group’s potential to offer an alternative flagpole to which otherwise isolated splinter groups could rally.
In his report, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said a handful of Taliban commanders had declared allegiance to Islamic State. "There is no indication of widespread or systematic support for ISIL in Afghanistan."
UN Secretary General's Special Representative and the head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA said that Significant developments in Afghanistan have brought renewed hope for the peace process with the Taliban.
In a debate on Afghanistan's situation at the UN Security Council where the UNAMA mandate was also extended for another year in the country, Haysom opened the debate, lauding the Afghan government's efforts for peace talks with the Taliban.
"These positive developments are a testament to the efforts of President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah," Haysom praised. "Their collaborative leadership remains essential for any peace talks to progress."
He assured that UNAMA would continue to assist the parties to the conflict to reach a sustainable peace.
Touching on the electoral reforms, the UN top envoy stressed the need for reforms in order to restore people's trust in the National Unity Government (NUG).
"Comprehensive electoral reforms will be essential to restoring the faith of the Afghan people in the democratic process and strengthening political stability," Haysom said, welcoming Ghani's renewed commitment to establish the commission shortly.
Russia's Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said his country was worried about the increasing terrorist threat in Afghanistan and broadening of the Islamic State’s geographical activities.
Extremists in northern Afghanistan, bordering several former Soviet states, were actively engaging in propaganda and recruiting besides setting up camps, the envoy noted.
He added: "The states of the region have legitimate concerns about this turn of events. Turning it into yet another safe haven for fighters and extremists is categorically unacceptable." (Pajhwok)