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Afghanistan

The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security: Report of the Secretary-General (A/64/364-S/2009/475)

Attachments

General Assembly
Sixty-fourth session
Agenda item 17
The situation in Afghanistan

Security Council
Sixty-fourth year

I. Introduction and overview

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 63/18 and Security Council resolution 1868 (2009), in which the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 23 March 2010. In its resolution, the Council requested a report on developments in Afghanistan every three months. This report reviews the situation in Afghanistan and the activities of UNAMA since my previous report of 23 June 2009 (A/63/892- S/2009/323).

2. Presidential and provincial council elections were held on 20 August 2009. At the time of publication of the present report, the final results had not been certified. The campaign focused on political agendas, and the preliminary results demonstrate actual competition between the candidates. Public engagement in the election campaign went beyond expectations. These were the first elections run entirely by the Afghan Independent Election Commission, with support from the United Nations Development Programme project entitled, "Enhancing legal and electoral capacity for tomorrow". The success of the Independent Election Commission in opening, equipping and staffing thousands of polling centres across the country was an achievement in itself. Voting, however, was unquestionably marred by irregularities. A campaign of intimidation by the Taliban stifled voter turnout, particularly in the south.

3. The level of alleged electoral irregularities has generated significant political turbulence leading to fears of a return to violence when election results are announced. Institutional processes are in place to resolve allegations about fraud, including the Electoral Complaints Commission, three of whose five members have been appointed by my Special Representative. The Electoral Complaints Commission has the final authority in adjudicating complaints. The Independent Election Commission began issuing uncertified partial preliminary results as at 25 August 2009. On 8 September 2009, the Electoral Complaints Commission ordered the Independent Election Commission to conduct an audit and a recount at polling stations where there were indicators of serious electoral irregularities. It is important to allow time and space for those processes to work according to the law.

4. The formation of a new Government will provide an opportunity to frame a new agenda and cooperation for Afghanistan and the international community, building on the mutual commitments agreed in London, Paris and The Hague. The present report describes a number of areas of progress with regard to institutionbuilding and aid coordination, which the new Government must expand upon.

5. Insecurity will continue to challenge these efforts and countering it will remain a priority for the new Government. Efforts undertaken over the past several years to increase the number of national and international security forces have failed to stem the insurgency. The recently appointed Commander of the International Security Assistance Force has begun to implement a new approach that ranks the protection of the Afghan population as being the highest priority and includes a closer operational partnership with Afghan national security forces.

6. Human rights issues, in particular the rights of women, remain high on the agenda of concerns. The Shia Personal Status law signed by the President in March 2009, and reviewed following national and international criticism, was amended and entered into force in July 2009. The amended version addressed some concerns but still appears to legalize certain forms of discrimination. The present report also describes the humanitarian situation in the country and the response of the United Nations and the international community.