Martin Kobler is to be new deputy head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The German diplomat will be responsible in Kabul for political affairs. Germany is supporting UNAMA under its new head Staffan de Mistura in its efforts to gear the mission both in design and staffing to carry out the agenda set by the London Conference on Afghanistan. With German diplomat Martin Kobler, who as deputy head of mission will be responsible for political affairs, Germany is helping to strengthen the mission on the ground.
As a political mission of the United Nations, UNAMA plays a key role in the international Afghanistan strategy adopted at the London Conference. Its main tasks will be to help prepare for the general elections scheduled for September 2010, provide support for the country’s reintegration and reconciliation programme, coordinate international aid and assist with administrative capacity-building.
Kobler’s new responsibilities are wide-ranging. He will be involved with preparations for the general elections in September, help improve the human rights situation in Afghanistan and take forward security sector reform. He will also liaise closely with the Afghan parliament.
Kobler has excellent credentials for his new post. As a lawyer and Asia specialist, he has served as ambassador to Iraq and Egypt and also has extensive experience in the field of election observation.
© dpa
