The resolution was adopted after 13 Council members voted in favour, while permanent members Russia and China abstained from the voting. The United Nations Security Council, under the current Presidency of India, on Monday, August 30, 2021, adopted a resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, demanding that the war-torn country not be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists.

• The resolution demanded that the war-torn country, Afghanistan, not be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists.
• Resolution was put forward by the US, UK and France.
• It was adopted with the votes of 13 Council members in favour.
• Permanent members Russia and China abstained from the voting.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. They captured the country two weeks before the United States was set to complete its troop withdrawal, ending the longest war in US history. This seizing also forced Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee to the United Arab Emirates.

UNSC is one among the six principal organs of the United Nations. It is charged with ensuring international peace and security. It also recommends on the admission of new UN members to general assembly and approves any changes in the UN Charter. Some of its power include- establishment of peacekeeping operations, enactment of international sanctions, and authorization of military action. UNSC is the only UN body that can issue binding resolutions on member states.

UNSC was created after World War II to address failings of the League of Nations in maintaining peace across the world.

UNSC comprises of fifteen members, out of which five are permanent viz, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Permanent members can use their veto power on substantive resolution. Remaining ten members are elected on a regional basis and serve for a term of two years. Presidency of the body rotates monthly among its members.

By: Brijesh Kumar