The curtain has not risen on direct talks with the Taleban but officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US are pushing hard.
After four rounds of meetings of high-level representatives from the four countries, the Taleban were invited to direct talks with the Afghan government.
The curtain has not risen on direct talks with the Taleban but officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US are pushing hard.
After four rounds of meetings of high-level representatives from the four countries, the Taleban were invited to direct talks with the Afghan government. The talks hosted by the Pakistan were expected to be held in early March.
Kabul sent a list of names of Taleban leaders who could be included in the talks. Among the 10 names are Sher Mohammad Abas Stanekazi, Sayed Tayeb Agha, Nek Mohammad and Abdul Salam Hanafi from the Qatar political office; Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor and two of his friends; Mohammad Rasool and Abdul Manan Niazai linked to Mullah Rasool group of Taleban; Serajudin Haqqani or Haji Ibrahim with links to the Haqqani network.
Simultaneously the Taleban declared they would not participate in the talks until they were removed from all international blacklists, jailed detainees released and all foreign troops leave the country. The statement was issued from the political office in Doha, Qatar.
The government has not given up hope. Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai said the Taleban’s decision not to participate was “tactical”. He said, “Afghanistan would continue its peaceful actions.”
Meanwhile, visiting British foreign secretary Philip Hammond said at a joint press conference in Kabul that he was “very hopeful” that the present round of talks would be successful. The Quadrilateral Coordination Group of four nations has met four times. Afghanistan has repeatedly urged all Taleban factions to sit down to talks. A High Peace Council member speaking to Killid on the condition of anonymity said direct peace talks are likely to start within two weeks.
Sources say there are parallel efforts to persuade the Taleban: the High Peace Council and Afghan government on one side and on the other, pressure from Washington on Islamabad to bring in the Taleban.
There are also reports of “secret” consultations between the government and Taleban. On the agenda are the Taleban’s pre-conditions for joining the peace talks.
The Pakistani newspaper Dawn has published a report that quotes a Pakistani security official saying the Taleban declined to participate in direct talks for tactical reasons and it would not have an impact on the future of talks.
Meanwhile, Washington has warned that US troops would continue to support Afghan security forces as long as they are targeted by Taleban and other armed groups. The British foreign secretary also reiterated his government’s “non-military” support to Afghanistan.
Political analyst Misam Bayat believes the multiple efforts to get the Taleban to talk are useful. “The cooperation of China, the US and countries in the region are useful. If they use their influence to put pressure on Pakistan and convince the government in Islamabad then direct peace talks would be fruitful,” says Bayat.
China and US
Both countries have a stake in future peace in Afghanistan. Dawood Muradian, the head of Afghanistan Institute of Strategic Studies says, “China is in need of a stable neighbour so that it can extend its economic interests.”
Beijing is trying to extend its economic influence toward Europe and extend its trade in central Asia through the Rah e Abrishum. If there is peace in Afghanistan the country would have an important role in China’s plans. “It is necessary to have both Beijing and Washington’s support for I don’t think Pakistan would be reliable; the Afghan government also does not have anything to pressure Pakistan,” says Muradian.
Political analyst Zahra Mahmoodi thinks Washington will use any means to solve the Taleban issue, whether through talks or force.
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