The US-Taliban peace talks will presumably restart in the near future. Although US President Donald Trump suspended the negotiations aimed to find a negotiated settlement to the Afghan conflict in early September, American officials seem to have resumed diplomatic efforts to revive the Afghan peace process. Khalilzad’s recent tour apparently intended to facilitate a prisoner swap deal is part of the new push. Prisoner exchange can help restore the trust among the warring sides that has been badly undermined due to suspension of the talks. If the US-Taliban parleys are to be resumed, there will be no need for more discussions over the potential peace talks since the Taliban are stressing that they are ready to sign only the deal that was worked out and finalized after almost a year of talks with American negotiators. Thus, this round of talks between Americans and Taliban may not be long, and may soon set the stage for intra-Afghan dialogue.
While the peace talks are close to enter the second phase, which is talks among Afghans, the President Ghani-led administration is yet to forge a consensus on talks with the Taliban in the country. Besides opposition politicians, government leaders are also at odds over the peace process. The Presidential Palace recently revealed a roadmap for peace, titled “The 7-Point Peace Plan”, but Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah termed it an “ambition” than a plan, signaling that the president and his CEO differ over the peace process as well like other national issues.
The government leadership has to build consensus and unanimity among various stakeholders in the country in order to be able to utilize the opportunity available for peace. Internal divisions further weaken the government’s position in peace talks because the Taliban would use it as a justification to reject negotiations with Afghan government as a government. President Ghani should not only bridge the gulf with his government partner but also strive to bring together all politicians who have worked in the government over the last two decades so that there is a united front for talks with the Taliban. This is the only way that can defend and protect the gains of last two decades in peace talks with the Taliban.
