Canada said on Thursday it was “deeply concerned” about the protracted political crisis in Afghanistan.
In a statement, Canadian Embassy said that the crisis is hindering governance, holding back the peace process and is undermining the effectiveness of the response to the unfolding coronavirus pandemic.
“We strongly urge all parties to place the interests of the people of Afghanistan as their common priority and to resolve their differences with utmost urgency,” the statement said.
Afghanistan remains Canada’s largest recipient of bilateral development assistance, the statement noted.
“We have a longstanding interest in seeing Afghanistan build on its achievements in becoming a modern society which respects democracy and human rights, including the rights of women and girls,” the statement said.
It said that Canada is closely watching the political situation in Afghanistan.
“We expect to see a unified and accountable government that is able to effectively utilize the support of the international community for the continued development of the country,” it said.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and former Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah are engaged in a dispute over leadership following presidential election last year.
Sources close to Abdullah said that his side is facing an internal disagreement over a plan being developed by Abdullah to resolve the crisis.
