Move FM Global News

KABUL, Afghanistan – Millions of Afghans are pinning their hopes on the new president, whoever that may be, and in particular current, ongoing talks to end the war.

Ravaged by international intervention, home-grown hostilities, and Taliban aspirations to return to power, Afghanistan has been caught in a vice, most recently for the past four decades.

Afghans need to be confident the war will end.

“As I told the Security Council last week, whatever the outcome of the presidential election may be, peace will be the issue of paramount importance to the new administration,” Tadamichi Yamamoto, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement obtained on Friday.

“I reiterate the call by the United Nations for everyone to raise their voices for peace, and for all stakeholders to make genuine and concrete steps toward ending the war, as there can be no military solution to the conflict in this country.”

UNAMA has been working with communities across Afghanistan to peacefully resolve long-standing disputes over resources, including land and water.

“However, only by ending the war can there be real hope for an Afghanistan with a prosperous future,” he said.

“The hopes and aspirations of millions of ordinary Afghans, young and old, women and men, girls and boys, rest on the shoulders of those who are striving to bring the war to an end with a lasting political settlement.”

The UN mission chief said the ongoing fighting continues to take an “appalling toll” on ordinary Afghans.

UNAMA statistics show civilian casualties recently surpassed 100,000 in the past ten years alone, which is when the mission began systematic documentation of body counts.

“The United Nations urges all stakeholders to seek ways to reduce levels of violence, especially the violence which harms civilians, on the way to a lasting political settlement and a permanent ceasefire,” said Yamamato, adding that “implementing a reduction of violence is also important in creating an environment which enables constructive intra-Afghan talks on peace to take place.”

(Photo credit: Noorullah Shirzada).