Daily Times

Many Afghans had serious apprehensions that efforts would be made to sabotage the peace efforts to end the nearly 18 years of war in Afghanistan. Statements by several senior officials could be seen as well-organized attempts to harm whatever the US and the Taliban have achieved in political negotiations over the past eight months.

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said at the conclusion of ninth round of talks on Aug. 31 that both are at the “threshold” of a peace deal. The US envoy later said in Kabul that the US and the Taliban have reached an agreement in principle. Khalilzad also said President Donald Trump will give final approval to draft agreement. Taliban’s decision-making leadership council will also take a final decision.

Khalilzad, who has been in Kabul over the past five days, now awaits Afghan government’s approval of draft of the peace agreement. He delays his stay in Afghanistan as the Kabul administration has yet to come up with a clear stance on the draft shown to President Ashraf Ghani and other leaders.

Statements by senior Afghan officials raised questions about intentions of the beleaguered leadership in Kabul.

Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said Wednesday Kabul has concerns about the outcome of the Taliban-US agreement. Siddique, however; wrote on Twitter Afghan government is committed to peace process.

He said Afghan government supports all efforts that can end war and ensure durable peace in Afghanistan. But added the government has concerns as how to counter the possible dangers after the US-Taliban deal. He said as former US officials and senators have shown concerns about the deal similarly Kabul also wants more clarification about the peace agreement.

Second Vice President Sarwar Danish has said that peace deal will not be accepted, which negates democracy.

In an article Danish said calling Taliban as Islamic Emirate means power is indirectly being given to the Taliban that is unacceptable to the people of Afghanistan as this is considered as against sovereignty of Afghanistan and constitution, according to the BBC Pashto.

Danish said intra-Afghan dialogue should discuss constitution, elections, freedom of expression, human and women rights.

A group of former senior US diplomats to Afghanistan warned that the country could return to “total civil war” and become a new center for terrorists if the Trump administration commits to withdrawing all US troops without establishing peace in the embattled country, according to the US media.

The nine former ambassadors and special envoys who served in Afghanistan from 2001-2017 said in an open letter published by think tank Atlantic Council that they support a limited force drawdown as part of ongoing negotiations with the Taliban over a peace deal but a full troop withdrawal should only occur after peace is established, UPI news agency reported.

UN former envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eidi also tried to create confusion about the peace agreement in a tweet.

“I would not be surprised if Ghani presents negotiating team that is unacceptable to Kabul opposition. And further delays. The risk; entire peace process will collapse – or at best be postponed!,” Eidi tweeted.