UN Afghanistan mission welcomes Government's nomination of unity cabinet

In a press statement welcoming the nomination of Ministers and senior officials as part of the implementation of the agreement for a National Unity Government, the head of the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA), Nicholas Haysom, on Monday suggested the move was indicative of the country's positive political momentum.

“The spirit of respectful collaboration demonstrated by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, and their teams, in agreeing these nominations is a welcome manifestation of their partnership and cooperation,”  Haysom said.

“Given the many pressing issues facing Afghanistan, it is to be hoped that this process can be undertaken in a smooth and timely manner.”

The unity cabinet has yet to be approved by the Wolesi Jirga, the National Assembly's Lower House, as prescribed by the country's constitution.

Nonetheless,  Haysom declared the ongoing commitment of the UN to the country as a “reliable partner” and said the Mission looked “forward to working with all new Ministers and officials in support of the Government's work.”

The announcement of the unity cabinet nomination comes amid a brutal upsurge in attacks throughout the country.

2014, in fact, was the deadliest year for Afghan civilians since 2009 and the UN mission in the country has documented a rising number of civilian casualties attributed, in large part, to increased ground engagements and the increased use of improvised explosive devices – both of which are killing and injuring more Afghan civilians than previously documented by UNAMA.

Nicholas Haysom. Photo: UNAMA/Sayed Muhammad Shah