The United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed on Tuesday to extend a UN political mission in Afghanistan after last-minute talks overcame a Chinese threat to veto if there was no mention of Beijing’s global Belt and Road infrastructure project in the resolution.
The project was not mentioned in the resolution drafted by Germany and Indonesia and which was adopted by the 15-member council.
“To our regret a few countries refused to keep the text of consensus previously agreed,” said China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun, describing the adopted resolution as a technical rollover.
Previous resolutions in 2016, 2017 and 2018 included a reference welcoming and urging efforts like China’s Belt and Road initiative to facilitate trade and transit, but in March the US and some other council members said they would no longer accept that language.
The council agreed then to a six month rollover of the mandate of the UN mission, known as UNAMA, and that expires on Tuesday. A planned vote on Monday was delayed to Tuesday to allow for further negotiations as diplomats said China had signaled it was prepared to veto the text.
To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the US, China, France, Russia and Britain.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft said the renewed mandate adopted on Tuesday had been updated to address new developments on the ground.
But she added: “The reason we cannot empower the mission with a stronger, substantive mandate today is a member’s insistence on language that highlights national political priorities rather than ways in which we can most effectively assist the people and the government of Afghanistan.”
UNAMA’s mandate has be extended until 17 September 2020
UNAMA, which was established in 2002, is helping Afghanistan prepare for September 28 elections and is pushing for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Afghan ambassador to UN, Adela Raz, said that Afghanistan is fully prepared for the vote. Emphasizing Afghanistan’s commitment to advancing a peace process that consolidates human rights and democratic gains, she reiterated the importance of Afghan ownership and leadership of that process, stressing that international efforts must support national ones.
