Ceasefire and Peace in Afghanistan

Afghanistan, despite its small size, has always been the target of conspiracies by world powers due to its geographical importance. The United States established its dominance in Afghanistan by force, but this war proved to be extremely nerve-wracking for the United States and its allies.

After the loss of billions of dollars and thousands of lives in the Afghan war, the United States recognized the Taliban as a political force and restored hope for peace by concluding a historic agreement on February 29, 2020.

The agreement reached by the US and the Taliban in Qatar created a ray of hope and prosperity in the region. However, the issue stalled due to disagreements between the Afghan government and the Taliban over the implementation of the peace agreement. Although, the Taliban’s announcement of a three-day ceasefire on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr lit a new candle for peace.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the Taliban’s temporary ceasefire on Eid, calling it a “great opportunity to promote peace efforts in Afghanistan,” US Special Envoy Zalmai Khalilzad welcomed the Taliban’s announcement.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has also welcomed the move for a temporary ceasefire in Afghanistan for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.

When the Afghan Taliban announced that they would not attack Afghan forces during the three-day Eid holiday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also responded by issuing a goodwill permit for the release of 2,000 Taliban prisoners.

India is a big spoiler in the Afghan peace process as it benefits Pakistan. The chief Taliban negotiator has reportedly said that India has always played a negative role always and supported traitors in Afghanistan. India has repeatedly used the Afghan soil to destabilize peace efforts in Afghanistan and has been investing in the country for its vested interests.

India’s repeated attempts to force a unilateral solution to the Afghan problem, while undermining and manipulating the interests of  the Afghanistan and other regional players, continue to complicate the search for regional peace and stability.

So keeping in view all fragile situation, Afghanistan’s political actors must seize this opportunity for peace by resolving difference, form inclusive government and on Taliban to bring down unacceptable levels of violence, enter negotiations without delay.  

The prospect of the start of negotiations to reach a comprehensive peace agreement in Afghanistan represents an historic opportunity to end the decades long conflict. All sides should act to urgently fulfill the commitments they have made to lower violence and work toward peace.