New York, 9 March 2026 — Speaking on behalf of the A3 (Liberia, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) before the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan, the Permanent Representative of the DRC to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay, reaffirmed the solidarity of the three African countries with the Afghan people and called for sustained international engagement in addressing the persistent political, humanitarian, security and socio-economic challenges facing the country.
In their statement, the A3 reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan. They also reiterated their support for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), highlighting its central role in coordinating international engagement, humanitarian assistance and development efforts. The A3 stressed the importance of ensuring that the Mission operates under safe conditions and with unhindered access for its personnel and partners.
The three African countries also expressed deep concern over the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. They noted that 21.9 million people are expected to require humanitarian assistance in 2026, while the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan calls for $1.71 billion to deliver life-saving aid. The A3 commended the efforts of the United Nations and humanitarian partners, who continue to operate under extremely difficult conditions, and called on donors to swiftly address the funding gaps.
The statement also underscored the importance of the full participation of women and girls in national life, as a key condition for the sustainable reintegration of Afghanistan into the international community. The A3 expressed concern over the restrictions imposed on Afghan female United Nations personnel and called on the relevant authorities to allow women employed by the UN to return to their workplaces.
On the security front, the A3 warned about the persistent threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, reaffirming that Afghanistan must not serve as a base for terrorist activities that undermine regional and international peace and security. In this regard, they highlighted the importance of the Security Council sanctions regime related to Afghanistan, as well as the work of the Sanctions Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1988.
In conclusion, the A3 emphasized the need for a coordinated and integrated approach among political, humanitarian and development actors to effectively address the multiple challenges facing the Afghan people. They reaffirmed their commitment to support Afghanistan in its pursuit of sustainable peace, security, stability and development.