Politicians evacuating the building after Taliban attacked parliament on 22nd June (image Faryab MP)
Today the Official Account of the Office of the President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani – ARG announced on Twitter that a delegation from the High Peace Council of Afghanistan has traveled to Pakistan for negotiations with the Taliban. A surprising announcement given that Islamic Emirate spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for an attack on the parliament building in Kabul which included a suicide bomber, rocket attack and around 7 gunmen on 22nd June 2015. See following link,
“Afghanistan Taliban attack parliament during live TV broadcast”
In recent months there has been much speculation on so called “peace talks” in western media with few bothering to check with the Taliban themselves. To date there has been no official response from Islamic Emirate spokesperson.
In the past some events that Taliban individuals or delegations have attended for general interest purposes as a routine matter have at times been misrepresented as “peace talks” or so called “talks” have been held with those distance from Taliban leadership with little knowledge of what is happening on the ground and were therefore deemed meaningless. Islamic Emirate has mocked a number of media reports alleging “negotiations” as it was the first time they themselves were hearing of these initiatives.
At the yearly launch of the Taliban Spring offensive “Azm” (Resolve, Perseverance or Determination) which began on 24thApril 2015 Taliban stated,
“for the complete liberation of our beloved homeland from the yoke of foreign occupation and for the implementation of Islamic rule throughout the country, the Islamic Emirate is determined to prolong the ongoing Jihad against the foreign invaders as well as their internal stooges.”
This year has seen a ferocious campaign with Taliban gaining ground in some areas. There have been multiple bombings and assassinations and no break for the holy month of Ramadan. On June 24th Islamic Emirate released a translation of a statement delivered by the head of the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Oslo Conference (Forum) here is an extract relating to lack of direct talks with the Afghan government,
“I would like to clarify and renounce, to the present Afghans in our native Pashto language, the wrong perception that instead of reconciling with Afghans, the Islamic Emirate is negotiating with foreigners. For the last five years, due to some relaxation in the circumstances, the Islamic Emirate has initiated a series of meetings with various Afghan individuals and circles. Several sessions have been held and the process is incessant. The reason for not holding direct talks with the Kabul administration is their lack of authority in solving strategic issues as the essential element of the present Afghan dilemma and various other issues is America and her foreign allies. It is a bitter fact which should be realized.”
In a statement posted on July 5th, 2015 Islamic Emirate were highly critical of alleged human rights abuses under the Ghani government stating,
“If we look into the realities we will find that from the beginning of the establishment of Kabul Administration until now they have not only violated laws of war but have also defied all human and Islamic rules and values. This situation is still continuing. Their military plans and personnel which take roots from western training are not committed to any human, Islamic and national values nor do they feel any sense of responsibility. They are involved in human atrocities, violence, immoral acts and in the use and trafficking of drugs. They are blood-thirsty and get pleasure staining people in their blood.
It shows the real face of Ashraf Ghani who utters palatable and appealing assertions about peace, prosperity and rule of law but practically is silent in front of such war crimes which take place under the hierarchy of his command. It also exposes the fact who in reality is responsible for most of the civilian casualties?”
It will be surprising if the Taliban have had a change of heart regarding direct talks in so short a time. According to DAWN the US administration is responding positively to the possibility of negotiations. DAWN quoted White House spokesman Josh Earnest as saying, “this is an important step toward advancing prospects for a credible peace.”
However until Islamic Emirate has issued an official response to the announcement, I fear the Afghan government statement on “negotiations” may be little more than wishful thinking. If this information is in fact correct, it will indeed be progress.
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog 