Afghan-Conflict: Thaw as Taliban, Govt Reach Fresh Agreement
Pakistan and US see it as a significant development showing resolve of both parties towards a negotiated settlement of Afghan-conflict
WEB DESK: In a major breakthrough after nearly two decades, the Afghan government and Taliban have reached a preliminary written agreement on rules and procedures of the peace talks to resolve Afghan-conflict.
Pakistan’s government welcomed the move terming it a significant development showing resolve of the parties towards a negotiated settlement of over a decade of Afghan-conflict.
Regarding the major breakthrough, Nader Nadery, a member of the Afghan government’s negotiating team told Reuters, “The procedure including its preamble of the negotiation has been finalized and from now on, the negotiation will begin on the agenda”.
Zalmay Khalilzad, United States (US) Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation and Taliban spokesman confirmed the development on Twitter.
1/4 I welcome the news from #Doha that the two Afghan sides have reached a significant milestone: A three-page agreement codifing rules and procedures for their negotiations on a political roadmap and a comprehensive ceasefire.
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) December 2, 2020
As per a joint statement issued from both sides, a joint working committee has been assigned to shape the draft of topics for peace talks.
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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo felicitated both parties and hailed them on willingness to find common ground for peace.
He assured that the US would work together with everyone searching for a reduction of violence and ceasefire and bring Afghan-conflict to end.
The pact has been agreed upon after months of discussion in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Reviewing the salient points of the initial agreement, Afghan affairs expert Tahir Khan told News 360, “This agreement is actually a principle of how the Afghan government and the Taliban will negotiate.”
Tahir Khan further said that the first stipulation of the agreement was that the talks between the US and the Afghan Taliban in February would be the basis of this inter-Afghan dialogue.
Earlier, the Afghan government did not abide by the peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban because the government wasn’t a party in the talks.
However, the Afghan government has now accepted the fresh agreement.
In Afghanistan, the government forces backed by international allies and the Taliban are still at war.
Taliban had refused to a ceasefire until stipulations of peace talks were settled and continued attacks without a reduction in intensity.
