The permanent representatives of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the latest developments in Afghanistan. The meeting was held after Saudi Arabia, the chair of the 14th Islamic Summit, invited representatives for discussions in Jeddah.
In his opening address, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to OIC, Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani, referred to comments made by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the Afghanistan crisis. The King urged the warring parties in Afghanistan to turn to “reason, tolerance, and dialogue and exert their utmost efforts to achieve peace and security in their war-torn country.”
The members expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment to help bring peace, security, stability, and development to the conflict-ridden country. In addition, they highlighted the international community’s expectations from “Afghanistan’s future leadership,” including national reconciliation, implementation of international agreements, conventions, and the United Nations Charter and resolutions. They also urged Afghanistan’s leaders to stick to the “Makkah Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan” that aims to present an inclusive solution to the ongoing conflict based on “Islam’s principles of dialogue, reconciliation and tolerance.”
Furthermore, the meeting stressed on the “necessity to protect and respect the right to life, security, and dignity of the people of Afghanistan in compliance with the tolerant Islamic principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).” The members also accounted for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan due to internally displaced people and refugees, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and drought. In this regard, representatives called on member states and Islamic financial institutions to dispatch humanitarian assistance to people and areas that need it the most.
Moreover, the members discussed the safe evacuation of people from Afghanistan and highlighted the need for a comprehensive dialogue among all parties to ascertain the country’s future. They also condemned violence in Afghanistan and urged all parties to restore security and order throughout Afghan society.
Recognising the continued suffering and hardship faced by Afghan people, members called on the future Afghan leadership to ensure that the country doesn’t become a breeding ground for terrorism or a haven for terrorists. The members also underscored the need for international cooperation to assist Afghanistan in its social and economic development without violating its sovereignty.
Finally, the Organization committed to supporting “Afghan-led and owned peace process and comprehensive reconciliation to reach a comprehensive and lasting political solution and ensure the support of this process by the main neighbouring countries and the international community.”