Taliban representatives and the Afghan government have signed their first written agreement in nearly two decades of war in the country, following an enduring peace process that began on February 29 this year.
Wednesday’s agreement paves the way for further discussion between the Taliban and the government, but experts are viewing it as a big breakthrough in ending the decades-long conflict primarily because it allows the negotiations to move forward to more substantiative issues, including a decrease in violence and fighting.
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RushHourDaily reported that a member of the Afghan government’s negotiating team confirmed that both sides have agreed on the preamble of the negotiation, further adding that from now on, the negotiations will begin on the agenda. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Taliban’s also confirmed the news on Twitter.
Furthermore, a joint statement from both sides stated that a joint working committee had been tasked to prepare the key topics for the agenda of the talks. Additionally, the incumbent Afghan President’s spokesperson described this as a big step towards the beginning of talks on key issues, including a ceasefire and reduction in violence.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also congratulated both sides on reaching an agreement and finding common ground and vowed to assist both the parties in reducing the violence in the country amidst the talks. Meanwhile, the US Special Representative for Afghan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, said that both sides have agreed on procedures and confiding rules for the talks on a comprehensive ceasefire and political road map.
The latest agreement comes after several months of discussion in Qatar’s capital, in the talks brokered by the incumbent administration of the US. Both sides are currently at war in Afghanistan, with the Taliban’s attacks on government forces continuing.
Despite the calls from the international players and western capitals, the Taliban categorically refused to end violence during the preliminary talks. They maintained that any such agreement would be made when a way forward of the negotiations is decided.
Deborah Lyons, the UN’s Afghanistan envoy, welcomed the development and added that this agreement should provide a “springboard” to the peace that many Afghans want. On Wednesday, Pakistan, which also happens to be a key player in the talks because of its influence in the region, also welcomed the agreement between the government and the Taliban.
