Problems, deficiencies, carnage of unarmed civilians; this is what Afghanistan is brimful of. Wherever the eye looks, nothing is visible but a situation clamoring for an immediate and focused attention of those at the horn of massacre. Afghanistan has remained at the brutal jaws of instability and insecurity for the past decades. The people of Afghanistan have sacrificed everything; whether it is financial or physical loss, they have witnessed the worst possible waves of insecurity and socioeconomic instability in their lives, thus, compelling them either to leave their motherland or suffer.
The Afghan peace process may be further affected by the elections in the US where a completely new administration is about to take command.
By a large extent, their sacrifices have not been recognized at international forums. Peace, however, is something which has been snatched away from its people a long ago. Moreover, the USSR invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, not only disrupted peace in Afghanistan but also in South Asia. After the defeat of Soviet Union in 1989, many foreign actors have tried to establish their hegemony over the country, America’s role remains pivotal multidimensionally.
Aftermath of 9/11
Immediately afterwards the tragic attack on the World Trade Center in New York City which killed nearly three thousand lives, the responsibility was claimed by Al Qaeda, a terrorist organization then operated under Osama bin laden. This horrific attack directly brought a beginning of a new chapter of bloodshed and instability in Afghanistan which is still going on. George W. Bush, the then president of the America, without delay, deployed a huge number of forces in Afghanistan with the help of Pakistan and termed it “war on terror”.
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Since then, Afghanistan is bearing the severe brunt in the shape of insecurity and social and political instability. During these nineteen years of bloodshed in Afghanistan, nearly 157,000 people have been killed and thousands injured. Equipped with the best possible modern technology of warfare, America along with its allies blatantly failed to establish a shadow of peace over Afghanistan.
UN in Afghanistan
The United Nations Organization (UN), emerged during the last stage of World War 2 with a prime objective to prevent such large scale wars and maintain peace in the upcoming years. But, its interests seem attached to America, rather than upholding a banner of stability across the globe. The organization has directly or indirectly supported and has given resolutions which were in favor of America and its allies. For instance, the role of UN in Afghanistan in bringing sustainable peace remains non-existent. In fact, the organization is itself working on the footprints of American policies which have devastated the country in the worst possible way.
Afghanistan has tolerated enough, now its people cannot live with daily casualties. The international bodies, which claim to be the vanguard of peace must act now
Do these self-acknowledged organizations make efforts by following the vested interests of its master America? If no, then why did the UN fail to prevent the enduring bloodshed in Afghanistan and beyond? Certainly, the institution, which is supposed to maintain peace across the world, is not doing enough to prevent further bloodshed in Afghanistan. These questions pop up in my mind whenever I think about the role of UN in Afghanistan.
Read more: Afghanistan: A graveyard of empires?
What is missing?
The peace process was initiated by America with help of Pakistan and other countries in Doha, Qatar under the special envoy to afghan peace, zalmay khalilzad. In which, however, Pakistan has played a significant role by bringing key leaders of Taliban on the peace table. The latest surge terrorist activities in Afghanistan illustrates that afghan peace process is lacking something very crucial.
The latest savage attack on a university in Kabul, has devoured the lives of 24 students and left many wounded. The responsibility was claimed by Daesh another terrorist outfit active in the country. The heart-wrenching pictures of the dead bodies of helpless students lying in the classrooms by the chairs, shocked the whole world. Such barbarism is not a novel thing in Afghanistan, its people have been facing such horrific situations since 2001.
Read more: Op-ed: What does the US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan mean for Pakistan?
The Afghan peace process may be further affected by the elections in the US where a completely new administration is about to take command. It is not certain that the new government in Washington will pursue the same policies its predecessor made.
Afghanistan has tolerated enough, now its people cannot live with daily casualties. The international bodies, which claim to be the vanguard of peace must act now. After all, the instability in Afghanistan is directly linked with the unrest in whole of South Asia, particularly Pakistan.
Last but not least, it is a high time for the United Nations to acknowledge its failures in bringing durable and sustainable peace which is the need of hour for Afghans as well as for its neighbor countries.
Read more: Peace in Afghanistan is crucial for peace in the entire region: FM
The write is based in Awaran, Balochistan and teaches at the Delta language center Quetta. The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.