Hyderabad: The United Nations Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on Afghanistan on Monday, as Kabul fell into the hands of the Taliban the previous day. The UNSC comprises five permanent members - United States, Britain, France, Russia and China. On Sunday, Russian Foreign Ministry official, Zamir Kabulov, told media agencies that the UN emergency meet was planned. He said the Taliban had given an assurance to Russia and some other nations to carry out their security missions. He, however, refused to divulge details and confirmed that they are not evacuating their embassy in Kabul.
The emergency UNSC meet assumes significance as it needs to be seen what the United Nations would do next in case the militant movement (Taliban) would proclaim itself as a legitimate power in Afghanistan. It is most unlikely that the 193-member global body, which has condemned the brutality of the terror outfit, would give an approval to such a declaration. Also, the Taliban have made it clear that they would not interfere in the UN's aid operations. The UN Mission based in Kabul was established in 2002 and was termed as Unama.
Read: After 20-year lull, Taliban take charge of Afghanistan
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN reacting to the developments said," Conflict in Afghanistan is forcing hundreds of thousands to flee amid reports of serious human rights violations. All abuses must stop. International humanitarian law and human rights, especially the hard-won gains of women and girls, must be preserved. I’m deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan & urge the Taliban & all others to exercise utmost restraint to protect lives & ensure humanitarian needs can be met. The UN remains determined to contribute to a peaceful settlement & promote human rights of all Afghans."
Hours after fleeing the country, Ashraf Ghani, the former Afghanistan president, announced on social media that he moved out "to avoid the bleeding flood". "The Taliban have made it to remove me, they are here to attack all Kabul and the people of Kabul. In order to avoid the bleeding flood, I thought it was best to get out," he posted on Facebook. Ghani, however, did not disclose his current location. According to reports, the new government in Afghanistan will be led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. The 53-yr old who was raised in Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban movement, had co-founded the Taliban along with Mullah Mohammed Omar as its founder. Baradar had also served as the deputy to Omar and was captured in Pakistan in February 2010, only to be released on October 24, 2018, following a request by the United States.
Read: World leaders react as Taliban take control of Afghanistan
Baradar, Taliban’s lead negotiator who had held talks with the government, congratulated all of Afghanistan for the victory. Baradar, in a video uploaded on social media, gave an assurance that peace shall prevail and better future awaited the countrymen. The terror outfit's return to power in Afghanistan comes after being dormant for 20 years, thereby drawing curtains on the US' two-decade-long campaign to rebuild the war-torn nation. Taliban fighters deployed all over Kabul took control of abandoned police posts, reports said, adding that residents complained of looting in several areas of the city, including the diplomatic district. Messages popped up on social media advising people to stay locked inside their homes.
