The next round of peace talks to end the long-running Afghan conflict is due to be held in Saudi Arabia next month. Afghan government, which has so far been left out of the talks, has said its interlocutors will hold direct talks with Taliban representatives, but the Taliban have dismissed the possibility in a statement, with their spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, saying their stance on not talking directly to the Kabul government has not changed. According to the Taliban, it is the Americans that have the final say vis-à-vis war and peace in Afghanistan, insisting they will not engage with representatives of Afghan government before reaching an agreement with the United States.
The exclusion of Afghan government from talks on a defining national issue such as peace is extremely worrisome. It is a matter of great concern when envoys of Taliban, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE can participate in US-initiated peace talks, but Afghan government that is representing Afghan people and recognized by the international community is not given the chance to be part of the interactions. While the Taliban may be after securing more concessions by portraying themselves as representatives of Afghan people, the parties involved in negotiations, especially the United States, should not underestimate the threat and consequences of continuation of peace talks without Afghan government. Despite all the problems and flaws it has, the government remains to be the sole party authorized to make key decisions on behalf of the people of Afghanistan.
All sides engaged in peace parleys, particularly US and Pakistan must drag the Taliban to the negotiating table with Afghan government by hook or by crook. The continuation of talks without government’s participation is meaningless, as it is neither in the interest of Afghanistan nor expected to culminate in peace. Keeping government out of peace talks in fact means depriving a vast majority of Afghan nation from being a part of the key decisions about their future, which will never yield any tangible result. The government may not have the nerve to stand out against the US, but if it is left out of talks until the end, it definitely is able to sabotage a possible peace deal. The negotiators should not ignore the threat, and must refrain from bargaining on the fate of Afghan people with the Taliban and Pakistan.
