KABUL – A historic “loya jirga” peace summit in Kabul ended Friday withdelegates from across Afghanistan demanding an immediate and permanentceasefire, and President Ashraf Ghani saying he was conditionally preparedto implement the call.
This week’s loya jirga, or grand assembly, saw about 3,200 religious andtribal leaders, politicians and representatives try to find a breakthroughin Afghanistan’s gruelling conflict, which is now in its 18th year.
“The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Talibanmovement should declare and implement an immediate and permanentceasefire,” delegates said in a declaration at the end of the jirga.
They said the ceasefire should start at the beginning of the holy month ofRamadan, which gets underway in the coming days.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was “prepared to implement the fairand legitimate demand” for a ceasefire but stressed it “cannot beone-sided”.
“If the Taliban are fully ready for a ceasefire, then we can talk aboutthe technical details,” Ghani said in a speech.
There was no immediate response from the Taliban, who currently arenegotiating in separate talks with a US peace envoy in Qatar.
The insurgent group has so far refused to even speak with Ghani, who theyview as an American stooge.
However, last year the Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire at the endof Ramadan after Ghani declared a unilateral ceasefire for eight daysearlier in the month.
It was first formal nationwide ceasefire since the US-led invasion of 2001and saw unprecedented scenes of reconciliation and jubilation in Kabul andacross the country.
This week’s jirga was a remarkable gathering of Afghans from many walks oflife. Emotions rode high with attendees sharing tears, recriminations andat least one fist fight as they revisited the horrors of Afghanistan’srecent past. -APP/AFP