Kabul: In what is seen as a “last ditch” effort to end decades of bloodshed in Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani has offered to recognise the Taliban as a legitimate political group if its leaders renounce violence and enter peace talks with the government. The president has also offered to help the Taliban set up a political office in Kabul.
The offer, which includes a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, comes amid a deteriorating security climate in which Taliban insurgents are believed to hold more territory than at any time since they held power, and in the wake of two attacks on Kabul that killed 150 civilians last month.
“We are making this offer without preconditions in order to lead to a peace agreement,” Ghani said during a one-day international peace conference in Kabul. “A ceasefire should be held, the Taliban should be recognised as a political party and trust-building process should be initiated.” In return, he said: “The Taliban are expected to give input to the peacemaking process, the goal of which is to draw the Taliban, as an organisation, to peace talks”.
Ghani said the Taliban must also recognise the Afghan government and constitution - a sticking point in past attempts to open talks. “Now the decision is in your hands, accept peace ... and let’s bring stability to this country,” he said. The Taliban, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, has yet to respond.
But a spokesman said: “Experience has shown that there is never a positive outcome from these gatherings because no one ever addresses the invasion. “It’s just a conference to trick Afghans.” Two weeks ago, the Taliban made its own peace talks offer in an open letter to the US people and “peace-loving congressmen” that many have interpreted as a sign that the nationalist insurgent group is evolving, and understands both sides are fighting an unwinnable war. “Prolonging the war in Afghanistan and maintaining American troop presence is neither beneficial for America nor for anyone else,” the 2,800-word letter released by Mujahid said.
“If the policy of using force is continued for another 100 years the outcome will be the same ... as you have observed over the last six months since the initiation of Trump’s new strategy.” Setting out its case for a negotiated US withdrawal, Mujahid cited “3,546 American and foreign soldiers” killed, an “87 per cent rise” in heroin production last year, and a US assessment that Taliban control on the ground has increased significantly.
The Taliban has long refused to recognise the Afghan government, which it considers a US puppet regime, and has insisted any peace talks must be with Washington on the precondition the US agree to withdraw. Ghani’s offer to recognise the Taliban as a legitimate political force and ultimately allow them to contest elections is seen as motivated by the hope it’s enough of a sweetener to get them to the table for talks with the Kabul government.
