Security Council Press Statement on Afghanistan Election

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Samantha Power (United States):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the conclusion of Afghanistan’s presidential election and the agreement signed today in Kabul between the two leading presidential candidates, Dr. Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, to establish a Government of National Unity.

The members of the Council recalled the courage and determination of the Afghan people who participated in the electoral process in large numbers despite threats and intimidation by the Taliban and other violent extremist and terrorist groups.  They emphasized the importance of all parties in Afghanistan working within the framework of the Government of National Unity in order to achieve a unified, peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Afghanistan.

The members of the Council recognized the role of the Afghan electoral institutions in conducting the comprehensive audit into the presidential vote.  They commendedthe United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), other United Nations agencies, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the effective and critical support provided to Afghan institutions throughout the electoral process, and acknowledged the valuable role of international observers and Afghanistan’s international partners.

The members of the Council looked forward to working with the Government of National Unity, and to the further strengthening of Afghanistan’s electoral system and democratic processes.

The members of the Council reiterated their commitment to support Afghanistan on its path towards peace, reconciliation, democracy and development.  They called for the new Afghan Government to effectively address the issues facing the country, including security, good governance, human rights, in particular for women and children, democracy and the fight against corruption, as well as economic recovery, improving the livelihood of its people and the cross-cutting issue of counter-narcotics.

The members of the Council reiterated their condemnation of violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country, and reasserted that no terrorist act can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and by the international community.

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For information media • not an official record