Representatives of the United States and Taliban are set to meet today in another round of direct talks, this time mediated by Pakistan. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Friday that the Taliban have accepted Pakistan’s request to engage in direct peace talks with the US. It is not the first time the Taliban representatives are holding direct talks with American officials, but the fact that Pakistan is taking credit for brokering the meeting is a new development. Afghan government and its Western allies, particularly the United States, have long been urging Pakistan to drag the Taliban to the negotiating table, but with Afghan government, a demand that is yet to be achieved. Imran Khan’s statements suggested that the talks due to talk place at Pakistan’s behest will be between Americans and the Taliban.
Although America’s new push aimed to bring Afghan conflict to a negotiated end is a welcome development, a major flaw that has continued to exist so far in the ongoing peace talks is the exclusion of Afghan government from the process. With this round of talks, it is the fourth time that only US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives. However, these negotiations still have not paved the way for intra-Afghan dialogue. It is not clear to what extent the US might have tried to facilitate talks between Afghan government and the Taliban, sidelining Kabul can consolidate the Taliban’s claim that Afghan government does not have any decision-making authority with regard to peace and war. The American influence in Afghanistan cannot be disregarded, but it also should not be forgotten that American diplomats cannot represent Afghans in peace talks. The United States can discuss only issues of its concern and interest with the Taliban; the authority and right to make a decision about the future of Afghans lie exclusively with Afghan people and government.
Washington should, as soon as possible, pave the way for peace talks also involving Kabul. The longer it is delayed, the more the friction between Washington and Kabul concerning the peaceful settlement of Afghan conflict. Kabul may not be able to lure Washington into accepting its demands; it can definitely challenge the ongoing peace efforts if compelled.
