KABUL: Afghanistan government has signed a draft peace deal with "global terrorist" after holding lengthy negotiations that could lead to something similar as that with the Taliban. The country's first peace agreement since the Taliban issued their insurgency in 2001, has been signed with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
The agreement puts an end to years of talk between Kabul and Hekmatyar, and should enable him to return to Afghan after 20 years in exile. The accord, which was broadcast on television, was signed between the head of Kabul's High Peace Council, Ahmad Gilani, national security adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar, and Hekmatyar's representative Amin Karim. It needs to be signed by President Ashraf Ghani and Hekmatyar, to be formalised, which Atmar said would happen "as soon as possible".
Key points were removal from international blacklists, immunity from prosecution for alleged war crimes, allowing unilateral political activity, and the release of prisoners. With this deal, Ghani can now demonstrate to Taliban leaders that his government is willing to make compromises for the sake of peace. Franz-Michael Mellbin, European Union's special representative for Afghan, said, "It proves peace is possible." He added, "The political space to say no to peace in Afghanistan is now virtually non-existent" and that the deal "creates a new narrative that has been missing for many, many years."
The deal was held up by three demands from Hekmatyar, that do not appear in the final draft. There were, a demand that Afghanistan's insecurity be blamed "first and last" on the presence of foreign forces, a timetable for their withdrawal, and that he be granted a formal title as a saviour of the country. With the closing of the deal, Ghani has found support from the international community, which has been involved in bringing peace to the country.
The people, meanwhile, gave mixed reactions, with around 100 demonstrating in central Kabul against the deal, holding posters showing Hekmatyar with blood dripping from his mouth, and calling him the "Killer of Kabul", and other Afghans welcoming the agreement saying the "past is the past" and that they are "thirsty for peace".
