Afghanistan: China in a strong position in the UN Security Council

Audio 01:11

The UN Security Council has called for a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a united and inclusive government in Afghanistan (Illustrative image).

© Angela Weiss / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

The Security Council met in New York on Monday August 16 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the next few days will be crucial, that we must not abandon the Afghans and that the international community must remain united on this issue.

Year after year, the Council succeeded in negotiating a joint declaration: it called for the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a united and inclusive government.

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With our correspondent in New York,

Carrie Nooten

It is one of these Security Councils which confirms the new balance of geopolitical forces modified in recent years.

We first heard from the concerned United States, calling for the smooth evacuation of its diplomats and nationals.

The American Ambassador insisted on the possible exit of the country to all Afghans who wished it.

Russia and China victorious in the American rout

Opposite, Russia, if it admitted having also been surprised by the speed of the deployment of the Taliban, welcomed that everything happened " 

without bloodshed

 ". Then, confirmed to maintain its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. And then, it is indeed the declaration of China which astonished: "

 we will respect the will and the choices of the Afghan people 

", affirmed directly the Chinese ambassador, for whom the overthrow of Kabul is almost assimilated to a democratic process.

We knew that China was looking to

profit from the departure of the United States

from Afghanistan, its very clear position at the UN shows that it has won the game.

Moscow and Beijing have also demanded that the new regime guarantee security, that it do everything to stem

the flow of refugees

wanting to flee the country to neighboring countries.

They also asked him to show zero tolerance against terrorists, who could be tempted to swarm in Central Asia and destabilize the region.

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  • UN

  • Afghanistan

  • Taliban

  • Russia

  • China

  • United States

  • Diplomacy