Afghan government is waiting for the Taliban to conclude their talks with the United States and announce a ceasefire, an adviser to President Ashraf Ghani said on Sunday.
In a series of tweets, Waheed Omer, the president’s senior adviser on strategic affairs, said that ceasefire is a precondition for the Afghan government, adding it was upon Taliban to make up their mind on it.
“As soon as Taliban and the US conclude their talks and Taliban make up their mind on the ceasefire; we will be ready to send a delegation to represent the Afghan state,” Omer said.
He said that the delegation will be small but representative of all Afghans from all walks of life.
“So, we are not withholding the talks or the list. We are waiting for Taliban to conclude their talks with the US, announce a ceasefire and be ready to talk to a delegation that will represent the Afghan State,” he said.
US talks with the Taliban resumed earlier this month. Those talks had been halted by President Donald Trump in September, citing a deadly attack in Kabul, just as the sides had been nearing a deal.
Taliban are carrying out internal consultations on ceasefire and reports suggest that their leadership has agreed to a weeklong ceasefire in Afghanistan.
