Afghanistan – foreigner troops are leaving … what now?

On 14 April 2021, NATO leaders have met at the highest level and decided to leave Afghanistan starting May and finishing by 11Stpember 2021.

On the same day, the UN mission in Afghanistan – UNAMA – published a paper titled “Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict 2021 First Quarter Report”. In it, one can read that the Taliban are not stepping down their fighting campaign; quite the contrary. In many major cities, there has been a “hunt” for afghanis related with Human Rights protection. The report documents that – only in the first quarter 2021 – there has been 1,783 civilian casualties (573 killed and 1,210 injured), which is a 29% increase compared with the same period in 2020. “Of particular concern is the 37% increase in the number of women killed and injured, and a 23% increase in child casualties compared with the first quarter of 2020.”

UNAMA tweeted: “Extraordinary levels of harm inflicted on civilians in #Afghanistan conflict continues unabated, says new UN report issued today. Urgent action required by all parties to stop the violence.”

It is well known that there is no military solution for the Afghani case, even NATO says so. However, it is also true that there are no conditions for a “civilian only” presence on the ground. As soon as the international military presence vacates the country, so will many of the Non-Governmental Organizations. It seems that a it is time for another type of international presence in Afghanistan.

Will UNAMA shift from a Special Political Mission into a Peacekeeping Mission? But, if so, will the UN blue helmets be able to do what the “all mighty” NATO couldn´t achieve in 20 years of military presence?

We´ll see, … but something must be done … the Afghans deserve a solution.