Ghani’s dilemma and peace process

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reiterated his stance while saying that if the Taliban outfit was ready for the election tomorrow, we are ready too, but without an election, we are not ready to hand over power to our successor. President Ghani was addressing a seminar titled “Foreign Policy Priorities and Reforms in Afghanistan’s Diplomatic System”. President Ghani clarified that he would not transfer power to his successor without elections and if Taliban accept elections, he would be ready to do so. President Ghani admired the U.S call for peace in Afghanistan on priority basis but sticked to his previous words and said that, “We have 100 times more urgent than any other country in the region and the world to achieve peace, but we are going forward based on realities to ensure lasting peace.”

While blocking the chances of peace in his war-torn country, he vowed for the rights of the Afghan people and added that 42 years of war have been going on and Afghans, like other nations in the world, have the right to live. President Ashraf Ghani outlined his roadmap for the country and said that Afghans would reach their desired goal, which is the national sovereignty, republic, national unity, impartiality, connectivity, and a lasting and fair peace.

The ongoing Afghan Peace process had faced a severe setback due to certain reasons and so for failed to achieve its destiny as agreed upon by the parties. Presently, there are clear chances that the parties would not achieve the promised deadline due to non-accomplishment of the peace talks between the warrying Afghan parties and most likely they have to agree upon to reschedule the time lime for the events if they succeeded to conceive the negotiated peace for the war-torn country. The United States had taken initiative in this regard and tried to evolve the stalled process by a gambit of activities aimed at reenergizing the prospects of hope.

US administration proposed a new Peace draft for Afghanistan, with central idea of a transitional government to replace Ghani led Afghan government. The transitional government would have representation of all factions including Taliban. Furthermore, Blinken addressed a letter to both parties Taliban and Ghani, while calling, it was “urgent” to accelerate peace talks and move quickly toward an agreed settlement. Blinken proposed a 90 days reduction in violence and a high-level meeting between the parties and other regional stakeholders in Turkey during coming days to discuss the way forward.

The recent statement of President Ghani is an open letter to the Blinken, who called for urgent efforts to reach a settlement in his leaked letter. It is second time that Ghani agreed to step down from his chair but unfortunately, he opted to hold the next election under his government. One can easily understand Ghani’s motive behind his new narrative. How can a contesting candidate can demonstrate a fair play during his match with his stanch rival?

Although, Ghani referred the 42 years long Afghan war but could not accept the realities of heinous characters of Afghan Politicians and war lords in outspreading the miseries of their countrymen over four decades. Ghani’s Predecessors had used similar way to masticate the country’s rule for years in the name of the people of Afghanistan. Ghani’s words are totally opposite to his actions. He vowed for peace and people’s right but not ready to play his role for that destination. It is high time that the Afghan leaders who claim to be People’s well-wisher must prove their words.