KABUL – Ashraf Ghani Reports Progress In Afghan Peace Process. The United States and the Taliban appear closer to making a deal. As Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced ‘notable progress’ in negotiations.
Washington and the militants are discussing this peace deal that has stretched over more than a year. This deal would see the US pull thousands of troops out of Afghanistan. In return, the Taliban would provide various security guarantees and launch eventual talks with the Kabul government.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Ghani said US Secretary Pompeo had called him to inform of developments in the talks. The talks are taking place in Doha where Taliban hold a political office.
Today, I was pleased to receive a call from @SecPompeo, informing me of the notable progress made in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban. The Secretary informed me about the Taliban’s proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in violence.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) February 11, 2020
“This is a welcoming development. I am pleased that our principal position on peace thus far has begun to yield fruitful results. Our primary objective is to end the senseless bloodshed,” he added. Ashraf Ghani Reports Progress In Afghan Peace Process.
This is a welcoming development and I am pleased that our principal position on peace thus far has begun to yield fruitful results. Our primary objective is to end the senseless bloodshed.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) February 11, 2020
A Taliban source told AFP that militant and US negotiators would meet again on Wednesday in Doha. Citing Afghan and US officials, the New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump had given conditional approval to a deal with the Taliban.
Despite ongoing talks between the US and the Taliban, Afghanistan’s war has raged on, with the number of clashes jumping to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, according to a recent US government watchdog report.
The two foes have been on the brink of a breakthrough before, with a deal all but complete in September before Trump nixed it at the last moment amid continued Taliban violence.