Skip to main content
Latest news
Thumbnail

Activists Want A Role For Ordinary Afghans In Peace Process

Members of the People’s Peace Movement, who met with the Taliban in areas under their control in Helmand Province in May, at a gathering in Kabul on Saturday called for more role to ordinary Afghans in the ongoing peace efforts, particularly those who have been affected by war.

The peace marchers on Saturday visited Qarabagh district of Kabul Province where they met with the people and discussed the peace process with them.

“The peace meetings are attended by those stakeholders who have been involved in the war or they have sent their sons to such meetings. The common masses have not been seen in such events,” said Iqbal Khyber, head of the peace movement.

“We do not want vague talks. We want the peace talks which are clear and we want peace with dignity,” said Naqibullah, head of Qarbagh Ulema Council.

This comes as the US Special Representative for Afghanistan’s Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, who has arrived in Doha for another round of talks with the Taliban, said on Saturday that the United States is ready for “a good agreement” with the Taliban.

Khalilzad said in a tweet that the “Taliban are signaling they would like to conclude an agreement” but he reiterated that the US is pursuing a peace agreement, not a withdrawal agreement. A peace agreement that enables withdrawal, he added.

The Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet said that the talks with the US in Doha will begin on Saturday morning.

This comes as according to reports, the Trump administration is planning to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan in a new deal negotiated with the Taliban Thursday.

The Washington Post reported that the number of US troops in Afghanistan would be reduced to between 8,000 and 9,000 from the current 14,000, citing US officials.

Activists Want A Role For Ordinary Afghans In Peace Process

Peace activists said more role should be given to ordinary Afghans in the ongoing peace efforts.

Thumbnail

Members of the People’s Peace Movement, who met with the Taliban in areas under their control in Helmand Province in May, at a gathering in Kabul on Saturday called for more role to ordinary Afghans in the ongoing peace efforts, particularly those who have been affected by war.

The peace marchers on Saturday visited Qarabagh district of Kabul Province where they met with the people and discussed the peace process with them.

“The peace meetings are attended by those stakeholders who have been involved in the war or they have sent their sons to such meetings. The common masses have not been seen in such events,” said Iqbal Khyber, head of the peace movement.

“We do not want vague talks. We want the peace talks which are clear and we want peace with dignity,” said Naqibullah, head of Qarbagh Ulema Council.

This comes as the US Special Representative for Afghanistan’s Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, who has arrived in Doha for another round of talks with the Taliban, said on Saturday that the United States is ready for “a good agreement” with the Taliban.

Khalilzad said in a tweet that the “Taliban are signaling they would like to conclude an agreement” but he reiterated that the US is pursuing a peace agreement, not a withdrawal agreement. A peace agreement that enables withdrawal, he added.

The Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet said that the talks with the US in Doha will begin on Saturday morning.

This comes as according to reports, the Trump administration is planning to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan in a new deal negotiated with the Taliban Thursday.

The Washington Post reported that the number of US troops in Afghanistan would be reduced to between 8,000 and 9,000 from the current 14,000, citing US officials.

Share this post