WASHINGTON: The United States is ready to support and facilitate direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on Sunday, following Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani’s announcement of anEid ceasefire to mark the Eidull-Azha holiday.“The United States welcomes the announcement by the Afghan government of a ceasefire conditioned on Taliban participation.” He said in a statement. “This plan responds to the clear and continued call of the Afghan people for peace.”
He added: “The United States supports President Ghani’s offer for comprehensive negotiations on a mutually agreed agenda. ?We remain ready to support, facilitate, and participate in direct negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. He continued, “It is time for peace” in a country where US soldiers continue to fight one of the longest-running wars.
Earlier in the day in Kabul during a celebration marking 99 years of independence from British rule, Ghani had announced a ceasefire with Taliban insurgents from Monday to mark the holidays.
“The conditional ceasefire will start tomorrow and it will continue as long as the Taliban preserves and respects it. We call on the leadership of the Taliban to welcome of the wishes of the Afghans for long-lasting and real peace,” Ghani said.
In a series of tweets, Ghani said the ceasefire would extend “till the day of the birth of the prophet (PBUH) i.e., Milad-un-Nabi, provided that the Taliban reciprocate.”
According to Reuters news agency, Taliban sources said, although their leaders had agreed to the truce, it was tentative; and final approval had yet to be granted by the Taliban leader Sheikh, Haibatullah Akhundzada.
The Taliban has yet to publicly respond to Ghani’s overture but they are willing to free hundreds of prisoners to celebrate Eid but did not release further details.
The offer by Ghani comes amidst hard fighting over the past few days in the central city, Ghazni, south of the capital Kabul; militants seized control of key government buildings and exchanged fire with security forces. Earlier in the month during a five-day battle in the city, at least 150 soldiers and 95 civilians were killed.
Last week at least 34 people were killed in a suicide attack targeting a school teaching students English; the victims killed were predominantly students.
In June Ghani announced an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban. The Taliban observed a ceasefire over the three-day Eidul Fitr festival; however, rejected the government’s request to extend it.
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato secretary-general, welcomed Mr Ghani’s announcement he tweeted. “I encourage the Taliban to demonstrate their concern for Afghans by respecting it.”
Published in Daily Times, August 21st 2018.