The fourth round of the “National Dialogue on the Role of Civil Society and Democratic Forces in the Future of Afghanistan” was held on Monday, May 27, in Antalya, Turkey. The conference brought together prominent political figures, diplomats, civil society activists, women and youth representatives, and members of the media. The focus was on evaluating the UN’s political roadmap known as the “Mosaic Proposal” and the future of international engagement with Afghanistan.
Many participants—particularly former government officials and civil society representatives—strongly criticized the UN proposal, calling it ineffective, vague, and aligned with the interests of the Taliban.
Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, called the Mosaic plan “incomplete” and said:
“The UN roadmap is not the beginning of a positive transformation in Afghanistan and does not meet the real needs of the people. There is no sign of national will, nor meaningful inclusion of civil and political actors.”
He emphasized that while various countries have their own narratives about Afghanistan, none of these narratives address the real suffering of its people. Andisha described the Antalya process as an opportunity to rebuild trust and establish a shared vision.
Mustafa Mastoor, former Minister of Economy, also criticized the Mosaic plan, stating that it is a continuation of the Doha process and clearly reflects the Taliban’s demands, such as gaining Afghanistan’s seat at the United Nations, unfreezing assets, and gaining international recognition. In contrast, the UN’s demands—such as human rights and inclusive governance—are undefined and lack measurable standards.
Nabila Muslih, former Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, rejected the proposal entirely, noting that the UNAMA plan makes no mention of the role and presence of women, democratic institutions, or other groups critical of the Taliban. She said the plan contradicts the principles of democracy and human rights and called on democratic forces to present an alternative roadmap.
Other participants, including Mansoor Ayubi and Bismillah Taban, argued that the Mosaic plan legitimizes the Taliban while ignoring the people’s demands. They warned that accepting the proposal would betray the justice-driven aspirations of the Afghan population.
Enayatullah Babar Farahmand, former Deputy of the High Council for National Reconciliation, took a more moderate stance, saying:
“The plan cannot be entirely dismissed, but it requires serious revision. The future of Afghanistan must be decided by its own people, not in foreign capitals.”
Three thematic sessions were also held during the conference: (1) review of the Mosaic proposal and the UN engagement framework, (2) examination of the Taliban’s role, the opposition, and the government in exile, and (3) constitutional review and rule of law. A lack of unity and a cohesive narrative among opposition groups was identified as one of the main challenges.
On the second day, discussions focused on confronting dominant narratives, the role of the media, UN Security Council Resolution 2721, and the UN’s independent assessment.
Aliya Yılmaz, one of the event’s organizers, described the Antalya meeting as a historic necessity:
“Now is the time for action—not to reproduce old power structures, but to create a new vision based on genuine participation, social justice, and gender equality.”
The Mosaic plan, initiated by UNAMA, is presented as a “comprehensive approach to Afghanistan.” Its stated goal is to facilitate dialogue among the Taliban, the international community, and Afghan stakeholders. However, critics argue the plan lacks transparency and risks legitimizing the Taliban while sidelining the real demands of the Afghan people.
A joint statement is expected to be released at the conclusion of the meeting, reflecting participants’ collective views on Afghanistan’s political future, engagement with the Taliban, and the role of democratic forces.
The fourth round of the “National Dialogue on the Role of Civil Society and Democratic Forces in the Future of Afghanistan” was held on Monday, May 27, in Antalya, Turkey. The conference brought together prominent political figures, diplomats, civil society activists, women and youth representatives, and members of the media. The focus was on evaluating the UN’s political roadmap known as the “Mosaic Proposal” and the future of international engagement with Afghanistan.
Many participants—particularly former government officials and civil society representatives—strongly criticized the UN proposal, calling it ineffective, vague, and aligned with the interests of the Taliban.
Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, called the Mosaic plan “incomplete” and said:
“The UN roadmap is not the beginning of a positive transformation in Afghanistan and does not meet the real needs of the people. There is no sign of national will, nor meaningful inclusion of civil and political actors.”
He emphasized that while various countries have their own narratives about Afghanistan, none of these narratives address the real suffering of its people. Andisha described the Antalya process as an opportunity to rebuild trust and establish a shared vision.
Mustafa Mastoor, former Minister of Economy, also criticized the Mosaic plan, stating that it is a continuation of the Doha process and clearly reflects the Taliban’s demands, such as gaining Afghanistan’s seat at the United Nations, unfreezing assets, and gaining international recognition. In contrast, the UN’s demands—such as human rights and inclusive governance—are undefined and lack measurable standards.
Nabila Muslih, former Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, rejected the proposal entirely, noting that the UNAMA plan makes no mention of the role and presence of women, democratic institutions, or other groups critical of the Taliban. She said the plan contradicts the principles of democracy and human rights and called on democratic forces to present an alternative roadmap.
Other participants, including Mansoor Ayubi and Bismillah Taban, argued that the Mosaic plan legitimizes the Taliban while ignoring the people’s demands. They warned that accepting the proposal would betray the justice-driven aspirations of the Afghan population.
Enayatullah Babar Farahmand, former Deputy of the High Council for National Reconciliation, took a more moderate stance, saying:
“The plan cannot be entirely dismissed, but it requires serious revision. The future of Afghanistan must be decided by its own people, not in foreign capitals.”
Three thematic sessions were also held during the conference: (1) review of the Mosaic proposal and the UN engagement framework, (2) examination of the Taliban’s role, the opposition, and the government in exile, and (3) constitutional review and rule of law. A lack of unity and a cohesive narrative among opposition groups was identified as one of the main challenges.
On the second day, discussions focused on confronting dominant narratives, the role of the media, UN Security Council Resolution 2721, and the UN’s independent assessment.
Aliya Yılmaz, one of the event’s organizers, described the Antalya meeting as a historic necessity:
“Now is the time for action—not to reproduce old power structures, but to create a new vision based on genuine participation, social justice, and gender equality.”
The Mosaic plan, initiated by UNAMA, is presented as a “comprehensive approach to Afghanistan.” Its stated goal is to facilitate dialogue among the Taliban, the international community, and Afghan stakeholders. However, critics argue the plan lacks transparency and risks legitimizing the Taliban while sidelining the real demands of the Afghan people.
A joint statement is expected to be released at the conclusion of the meeting, reflecting participants’ collective views on Afghanistan’s political future, engagement with the Taliban, and the role of democratic forces.