DOHA US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Doha Monday to kick offfresh high-level talks with the Taliban aimed at ending the 17-year Afghanconflict, saying it could be a “significant moment”.
“Arrived in Doha to meet with a more authoritative Taliban delegation.This could be a significant moment. Appreciate Qatar for hosting & Pakistanin facilitating travel. Now the work begins in earnest,” tweeted the envoy.
The latest round of negotiations follows six days of talks in Doha lastmonth that sparked hopes of a breakthrough.
Then, the two sides walked away with a “draft framework” that includeda Taliban vow to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven forinternationalterror groups.
There had been no accord on a US withdrawal or a ceasefire, however,issues which have derailed attempts at peace talks in the past, while thegovernment in Kabul voiced fears it was being sidelined from the talks.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar — a Taliban deputy leader and a co-founderof the hardline movement — arrived in Qatar late Sunday, according to aTaliban spokesman.
It remained unclear what role Baradar would have during the talks,but the presence of the influential leader widely believed to carry popularsupport across the Taliban’s myriad factions set expectations high.
“The fact that Taliban deputy leader Mullah Baradar is attendingthe talks, shows both sides are serious this time,” Kabul-based analystAhmad Sayeedi told AFP.
Afghan special envoy for peace Mohammad Omar Daudzai alsolauded Baradar’s participation, saying the insurgent leader was knownfor being “independent” and making “tough decisions”.
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“[I] hope he uses his independence to decide on peace as soonas possible,” Daudzai told a press conference in the Afghan capital.
Meanwhile the government in Kabul continued to voice concernsMonday over being sidelined in the negotiations.
The Taliban have steadfastly refused to negotiate with the Kabulgovernment, whom they dismiss as “puppets”.
“The Taliban are still not ready to talk to Afghan government, butwe are ready. We think that Taliban’s dishonesty is the only obstacle,”said Abdullah Abdullah, the country’s de-facto prime minister, in atelevised address Monday.
“We are flexible and ready to make a team that is acceptableto all.”
The latest negotiations come as violence soars in Afghanistan,with the UN reporting Sunday that more civilians were killed in 2018than any other year since records began in 2009.
US President Donald Trump has signalled his eagerness toend his country’s involvement in Afghanistan, where 14,000 Americantroops are still deployed.
