US cuts Afghan aid

While the world is in the midst of a coronavirus crisis, the peace process in Afghanistan has come to halt and violence is gradually returning to the country. The United States has said it is determined to adhere to the peace agreement signed with the Afghan Taliban and withdraw as scheduled.

Afghanistan has been enmeshed in a political crisis ever since the elections last year were replete with fraud allegations and is in disarray. There are now two men claiming the presidency and held separate inaugurations. Afghan President Ashraf has even failed to form a negotiating team to hold talks with the Taliban and chart out a further course of action for the war-torn nation.

In the midst of the stalemate and feuding leaders, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a surprise visit to Afghanistan to iron out the differences in hopes of reviving the accord to end the war. Pompeo voiced disappointment in the Afghan leadership for failing to bridge their difference and creating obstacles in the peace process.

As the United States prepares for an exit, it is also attempting to leave Afghanistan in the lurch. Pompeo announced that the US was immediately reducing $1 billion in aid and would pull another $1 billion next year. He said that US would consider further cuts, including withdrawing support for future donor conferences. The move could be an attempt to pressurise the Afghan government but pulling aid could affect the rebuilding efforts in the country.

On his way back from Kabul, Pompeo held a brief stay at a US base in Qatar where he met a delegation of the Afghan Taliban, becoming the highest-ranking US official to hold talks with the insurgents. Pompeo was present when the accord was signed in Doha last month but did not have direct talks.

The US dignitary expressed commitment and said the US would withdraw all troops. He said the Taliban had abided by its promise to not attack US forces despite the continued violence in the country. Just a day after Pompeo left, unidentified gunmen attacked a Sikh temple in Kabul killing at least 25 people and wounded dozens, an incident which the Taliban denied responsibility.

Despite the ongoing political crisis and chaos in Afghanistan, the purpose of the visit was to send a loud message that the US remains committed toward the pullout. Trump has praised Taliban’s efforts to get closer than ever. The Afghan government should end the impasse and hold negotiations to make progress on the peace process for which ordinary Afghans have sacrificed the most.