Political will and flexibility are two key elements for peaceful settlement of war. Peace efforts will not come to fruition unless all sides involved in the conflict have the political will to end the war and show flexibility to achieve peace. While hopes have grown high following the appointment of Zalmay Khalid, who has been involved in Afghanistan for decades, as US special envoy for the Afghan peace process, the position of the National Unity Government, especially of the Presidential Palace is worrying. Over the recent few weeks, Arg repeatedly embraced a stance that raises doubts about its intention and willingness for peace.
When reports surfaced on media that the United States was considering to ask Afghan government to postpone the 2019 presidential election for the success of the direct US-Taliban peace talks, the government, particularly President Ghani’s aides, immediately and categorically rejected the proposition. They insisted that there were no legal grounds to justify any delay in the crucial election, and promised to hold it on time. This very government vehemently refuting the idea of postponing the presidential poll delayed the parliamentary election for three years under the pretext of electoral reforms that were never realized.
In another instance, President Ghani blamed the Taliban for the attack on clerics gathered in Kabul to mark Milad-un-Nabi or the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), while Daesh terrorist group had already claimed responsibility for it. Whoever is behind the attack is a separate topic. But pinning its blame, without even providing evidence, on the side of the war that has rejected involvement in it can harm the ongoing peace talks. Moreover, as peace talks began to pick momentum, the National Security Council ordered Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to increase and expand attacks and operations against Taliban targets. The impact of government operations is not known yet, but the thing that is clear is that civilian causalities have seen a hike. Local people in several provinces have taken to the streets over recent weeks to protest night operations, complaining that such raids cause civilian casualties, an issue that allows the militants to easily recruit more and more fighters from the disgruntled locals.
The government leadership that had failed to take the peace initiative should support the renewed peace efforts and avoid making any statements and steps that can scuttle the peace process. The president had said that he was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of peace, so he should not deprive Afghan people of peace — a blessing of God — solely to stay in power.
