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Intra-Afghan Peace Talks

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August 01, 2020

Why in news?

The Taliban has decided to cease fire for three days during Id-ul-Adha.

What does this decision mean?

  • This has come as a relief for Afghans who have seen unabated violence despite a peace agreement between the insurgents and the U.S.
  • This is the third official respite since the war started in 2001.

What were the previous respites?

  • In June 2018 and May 2020, the Taliban had briefly ended hostilities to mark the end of the holy month of Ramzan.
  • On both occasions, it refused to extend the ceasefire.
  • It returned to war as soon as the celebrations were over.

What is the difference this time?

  • This time hopes are high that the ceasefire could be extended.
  • This is because the Afghan government and the insurgents are preparing to launch the intra-Afghan talks.
  • These talks were promised in the U.S.-Taliban deal, which was signed in February 2020.
  • According to the deal, talks were to begin in March 2020.

Why the talks did not begin as per the deal?

  • Both sides failed to reach an agreement on prisoner exchange, which the U.S. had agreed with the Taliban.
  • The insurgents complained that the government was not complying with the terms of the agreement.
  • The officials of the Ashraf Ghani administration said the Taliban’s demands were unacceptable.

Why talks will begin now?

  • Finally, President Ghani decided to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners.
  • This is followed by the Taliban’s ceasefire announcement.
  • Both sides have now agreed to kick-start talks after Id.
  • They could do it in a peaceful environment if the ceasefire is extended.
  • There are underlying issues that continue to plague the peace process.

What are the underlying issues?

  • When the U.S. entered into talks with the insurgent group, it did not insist on a ceasefire.
  • So the Taliban continues to engage in war and talks simultaneously.
  • The Americans were badly looking for a way out of the conflict.
  • So, they kept the Afghan government out of the peace process.
  • According to the U.S.-Taliban agreement, the U.S. agreed to pull out its troops in return for security assurances from the Taliban.
  • The onus was on a weakened Afghan government to start talks even as the Taliban continued attacks.

What happened after the deal?

  • According to the government, 3,560 government troops and 775 civilians have been killed in conflict since the deal was signed.
  • Also, infighting made matters worse for the government.
  • Last year’s presidential election saw a record low turnout.
  • The results were contested by the main Opposition candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, who formed a parallel administration.
  • He backed off, but only after being appointed the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation that will lead talks with the Taliban.

What would be some challenges?

  • These above factors allowed a resurgent Taliban to maintain the upper hand - in war and in talks.
  • Taliban sees itself as the legitimate ruler of Afghanistan.
  • In addition, it has not recognised the Constitution of the country.
  • This will be the government’s key challenge when its representatives and that of the Taliban would be holding talks.

 

Source: The Hindu

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