Afghanistan’s UN Mission Welcomes Appointment of Fatima Rabab as New Head of UNAMA
The Afghanistan mission to the United Nations, currently managed by diplomats appointed by the former government, has welcomed the appointment of Fatima Rabab, a Bangladeshi diplomat, as the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The mission issued a statement describing Ms. Rabab’s diplomatic background and multilateral experience as crucial at this sensitive time for Afghanistan.
The statement noted that the appointment of the new UNAMA chief coincides with the Security Council’s renewal of the mission’s mandate and the call for a strategic review. The mission believes this review could enhance UNAMA’s effectiveness and better align its activities with the evolving realities and needs of the people of Afghanistan.
The Afghanistan mission expressed hope that under Fatima Rabab’s leadership, UNAMA will continue to carry out its responsibilities impartially and based on principles. The statement emphasized facilitating meaningful political engagements, supporting an inclusive Afghan-led political process, strengthening regional cooperation, coordinating humanitarian aid, protecting civilians, and monitoring human rights conditions.
A significant part of the statement stressed the importance of justice in restoring and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens—especially women and girls—a matter that has raised serious domestic and international concerns due to extensive restrictions imposed by the Taliban administration in recent years. The mission warned that UN interactions should not lead to normalization of Taliban rule in the absence of genuine, irreversible progress in human rights and inclusive governance.
Furthermore, the Afghanistan mission reiterated the importance of UNAMA’s continued active presence in Afghanistan and expressed its readiness to cooperate with the new head of the mission. The UN Secretary-General recently appointed Fatima Rabab as his new Special Representative for Afghanistan.
