After a long delay and months of political wrangling, Afghan government finally took a major step towards forging national consensus on peace. The National Unity Government (NUG), especially President Ghani and his aides who viewed meetings between Taliban representatives, and Americans and Afghan opposition leaders with suspicion, and were refusing to form an inclusive, acceptable negotiating team finally agreed to the establishment of the “National Reconciliation Council”. The Council composed of many leading political figures, including former President Hamid Karzai, will be leading the peace process, and has also been authorized to form a negotiating team for talks with the Taliban. Moreover, the government has also acquiesced to the participation of politicians being in or outside the government in the upcoming meeting with Taliban representatives in Qatari capital, Doha. The meeting is a follow-up to the Moscow Conference on Afghan peace which was held a while ago, but was boycotted by Afghan government.
This is a huge step towards achieving peace and unanimity. Now all Afghan political actors, including the government and opposition leaders, must set aside their differences and embrace a unified stance on peace as they did with regard to the formation of the National Reconciliation Council. Adopting a unified stance will not be easy, but surely is possible. If all sides show some flexibility, there is an opportunity for unanimity of stances of government and opposition leaders, a prerequisite for any successful talks with the Taliban. Talks with Taliban with a divided stance will not have a chance of success that can protect the gains of the last 18 years.
After the major step, all focus should turn to striking a potential ceasefire deal with the Taliban. Before the rebels announce their spring offensive, such an agreement must be reached. The ceasefire will help stop violence and bloodshed on the one hand, and build trust between the two sides for discussions over unresolved matters on the other hand. During the armistice, both sides will have the chance to also listen to public demands, and make decisions that can truly protect the country’s best interests.
