Author: Yaseen Rahyab, Researcher in International Affairs

Peace and security is one of the natural needs of humankinds and it serves as a precondition for a sound and civilized living environment in any society. The country’s leadership should have the capacity and talent to reconcile with all players involved in Afghanistan insurgency. However, if the price of reconciliation with armed insurgents is paid by discontent of Afghan citizens and international community such peace- talks won’t be favorable anymore.

The Taliban peace- talk agenda was, for the first time, officially discussed at London Conference in early 2011. Participants of the Conference in their final statement officially announced their desire to support the Afghan government peace- talks with Taliban.

In June 2010, the Consultative Peace Jirga was convened to decide on the framework of peace-talks and reconciliation with insurgent groups including the Taliban. The Consultative Peace Jirga concluded with some specific recommendations to Afghan government including release of Taliban insurgents from prisons, removing names of Taliban leaders from the Black List and ending the UN- imposed sanctions on Taliban leaders. After the consultative peace- Jirga these recommendations were seriously followed up and so far, several prisoners of Taliban have been released and names of several Taliban top leaders have been removed from the UN black list.

Later on, in Kabul Conference convened on July 2010, the Taliban peace- talk agenda got some clearer aspects.

Afghanistan during the last 10 years has undergone many changes. The Taliban regime was toppled; the new government was established under the new Afghan Constitution; and for the first time in history of the country political power was transferred peacefully and free of violence.

But these days, new changes seem to be in the pipeline. President Karzia’s efforts during the last five years to bring Taliban on the talk table failed; the newly mandated High Council of Peace that has just started its practical work to reconcile, doesn’t look to open any new door for putting an end to the dilemma. Our understating from Taliban suggests that the group don’t favor political partnership and they give no value to democracy, freedom of speech and human rights. They fight to establish their own Islamic Emirate whose decrees are holy like Quranic verses. Taliban support a regime ruled by a dictator called Amir. Those who believe that reconciliation with Taliban through political partnership is possible seem to be acting too optimistically.

Afghan conflict for the time being isn’t only an Afghan agenda; it rather is and should be considered as a regional- universal agenda. Presence of the International Community in the country seeks certain objectives, at the top of which lies elimination of terrorist camps/ centers and assuring security at international level. In addition to security, supporting democratic processes and human rights values are amongst the most important part of this mission. Thus, ignoring this part of the international mission to Afghanistan or in other words, ignoring the values such as democracy and human rights shall mean a decline for all the post- Taliban achievements in the country.

There is no doubt that the international community and the government of Afghanistan are immensely working to stabilize Afghanistan from political perspective before the international security forces leave the country in 2014. The fact that either this objective will faster realize trough smashing the insurgent groups or reconciling with them, is a question that hasn’t found its ultimate response yet.

General David Petraeus, Commander of NATO and ISAF forces in Afghanistan has continued to press Taliban through conducting frequent military operations. But, he has also announced his support from the process of peace- talks with Taliban. Earlier he had announced that Taliban leaders can come to Kabul for negotiations.

This is clear that the peace talks can happen anytime anywhere; but what is challenging this process is lack of a serious plan agreed by international community, Afghan government and other political parties operating in the country that can send a clear message to Taliban.

As we all know, for the time being everyone is talking about peace and reconciliation; Afghan government, the Parliament, some of Afghan politicians, NATO, US and British governments are all taking on peace and reconciliation; but unfortunately, there doesn’t exist a consistent agenda for such peace talks; talks with whom and for what costs? US government has its own agenda for peace talks; while the Taliban and Afghan government as well Afghan Parliament are emphasizing on their own paradoxical agendas for reconciliation. This would kill much time to make some sort of consistency amongst these agendas.

Whereas, the current conflict in Afghanistan has some external links, it would be reasonable to say that role to foreigners- particularly of those powerful countries has been important to the present and future of Afghanistan; because, the issue of Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism has taken a universal shape and the rise and fall of this phenomenon won’t be limited to Afghanistan boundaries. Some of political analysts think that the High Council of Peace would have been effective if there had been only Afghan insurgents involved in the crisis. The problem is that the insurgents’ strategy is linked to different external elements whose interests seem to have been interconnected with instability inside Afghanistan.

Peace in Afghanistan is a need; but having a democratic, pluralistic, inclusive and active government as well respecting values of a civilized country and international norms of human rights is also a serious need that can’t be compromised. We call on Afghan government and Afghanistan citizens as well as the insurgents groups and emphasize that strangers never bother to resolve Afghan conflict. Realization of a sustainable peace in the country is only possible through unity and sincerity amongst different sections of Afghanistan citizenry as well as a strong consistency and contribution made by groups and parties working inside Afghanistan. Adopting a proactive and creative diplomacy supported by Afghan citizens which is consistent with international community can be a step towards securing peace and state building in Afghanistan. Any effort towards peace- building and reconciliation with Taliban in the absence of a mechanized consistency with international community and the failure to win supports of Afghans would result into nothing but wastage of time and creating new crisis.