KABUL – Afghanistan on Monday will convene a rare “loya jirga” — a massivemeeting for delegates from across the country to discuss the war and USefforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban.
More than 2,000 people have been invited to gather amid tight security forfour days of debate under a large tent in Kabul.
Here is a look at the history of loya jirgas, and what to expect from thisone.
– What is a loya jirga? –
A loya jirga — literally “grand assembly” in Pashto — is traditionallycomprised of Afghan elders.
Such gatherings have a centuries-old history in Afghan culture and areperiodically convened to reach a consensus on major political issues.
The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when Afghan officials endorsed asecurity agreement that allowed US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyondtheir planned withdrawal in 2014.
In August 2007, the first joint Afghan-Pakistan jirga was held in Kabulafter relations between the neighbours deteriorated amid Afghan accusationsthat Pakistan was harbouring Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters.
In 2003, former president Sibghatullah Mojaddedi chaired a loya jirga thatapproved Afghanistan’s new constitution for a post-Taliban era.
The events usually comprise political figures, religious scholars,teachers, activists and community leaders. Delegates typically break intosmaller groups to tackle various matters.
– What is on the agenda? –
The upcoming loya jirga is being held at a time when the US and Talibanmilitants have held several rounds of talks.
The two sides have discussed a possible troop withdrawal from Afghanistanin exchange for a ceasefire and various pledges from the Taliban.
But crucially, the talks have thus far cut out the government of PresidentAshraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge.
Ghani’s government is jostling for influence in the peace talks and thejirga aims to set out Kabul’s red lines for any deal, including thecontinuation of the constitution and the protection of women’s rights, themedia, and free speech.
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Ghani has invited the Taliban to participate, but the insurgents, havingwaged an unrelenting guerrilla war since 2001, have predictably refused.
In the past, the Taliban have blasted rockets at the loya jirga tent, andmuch of Kabul is being locked down under a massive security operation forthis year’s event.
In a statement, the Taliban vowed that any decisions or resolutions made ata loya jirga are “never acceptable to the real and devout sons of thishomeland”.
– Who will be there? –
Top politicians including Ghani, former president Hamid Karzai, ex-foreignminister Zalmay Rassoul, former warlord Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf and manyother Afghan officials are attending.
But chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, notorious former warlord GulbuddinHekmatyar, and Ghani’s former national security advisor Mohammad HaneefAtmar are boycotting the event, saying it was pulled together withoutconsultation and is being used by Ghani to campaign ahead of presidentialelections slated for September.
– What is at stake? –
A lot. Ghani’s credibility, fast dwindling in the eyes of the West, will beput to the test, with observers waiting to see if he can secure ameaningful consensus, or whether the event will unravel amid bickering andin-fighting.
A planned meeting between Afghan officials and the Taliban in Qatarcollapsed at the last minute this month over recriminations about thenumber of delegates Ghani wanted to bring to Doha.
His original roster comprised 250 members, which the Taliban likened to aguest list for an Afghan wedding.
A new round of talks between the Taliban and the US is due to take place inDoha in the coming days.
A meaningful and clear signal from Kabul will be key for US negotiators.-APP/AFP
