US Special Rep West assigned new role

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US special representative for Afghanistan (SRA) has transitioned to a new role as acting head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the State Department.

Since his appointment in October 2021, Tom West had worked tirelessly to ensure both US national interests and the welfare of the Afghan, the State Department said on Tuesday.

In a statement, it said: “Working with allies and partners, the United States has helped lead a robust humanitarian effort that prevented a wider famine and met the urgent needs of millions of Afghans.

The statement added the US commitment to Afghanistan remained an enduring priority and would be led within the State Department by Chief of Mission Karen Decker, Special Envoy Rina Amiri and Ambassador John Mark Pommersheim.

"Tom has skillfully led diplomacy on Afghanistan during a complex period," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

"Today's global challenges are equally as complex, and I look forward to working with him on coordinating economic sanctions strategies across the US government with our partners and stakeholders to achieve U.S. foreign policy priorities."

kk/mud