UN Security Council to vote on draft resolution extending UNAMA mission

The UN Security Council will vote on Monday, March 16, on a draft resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until June 17, 2026.

Last year, the Security Council approved a resolution extending UNAMA's mandate until March 17, 2026. This year's proposed extension, if passed, would be for three months only.

Negotiations on the draft resolution this year have been difficult, marked by disagreements. The disputes emerged after the United States called for a three-month technical extension. The US argued that a shorter extension would allow the Council to conduct a comprehensive review of UNAMA's mandate before committing to a longer one.

The US position is that UNAMA is one of the most expensive special political missions of the United Nations, operating in a highly complex environment. Therefore, the Security Council should first assess whether the mission remains appropriate and fully feasible.

According to the Security Council's report, on March 3, China, as the penholder, distributed an initial draft calling for a one-year extension of UNAMA among Council members. Following consultations, China incorporated the US proposal for a three-month extension into the third revised draft.

UNAMA was established on March 28, 2002, by Security Council Resolution 1401. Its objective is to assist the people of Afghanistan.