Kandaharis push for ceasefire

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Kandahar civil society activists, tribal elders, youths and religious scholars at a ceremony on Monday said they see a ceasefire and direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban as key factors to move forward the ongoing efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

They said they want a prominent role for religious scholars in the peace process which has seen some developments in the recent months.

As a new development, the Afghan government on Sunday proposed a list of 22 individuals for negotiating team and a list of 37 individuals for the Reconciliation Leadership Council. The reconciliation council held its first meeting on Sunday and agreed on six issues around peace including the participation of an Afghan government team in the upcoming Qatar meeting. 

The Kandahar residents said the warring parties should announce a ceasefire to provide the ground for direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

The gathering organized by a local movement called the Voice of Peace from Kandaharis where the main speakers said that people in the southern provinces have suffered the most from the war and violence and that it is the time to ensure sustainable peace in the country.

“Who benefited from the war in the past 40 years? No one. Let’s think about rebuilding and development,” said Sardar Mohammad, a tribal elder from Kandahar.

“We suggest that our leaders and elders talk about the main reasons behind the war and about the main obstacles on the way of peace,” said Abdulhaq, a tribal elder in the province.

Other attendants said a good opportunity has been created for peace which should be used through an all-inclusive process.

“The Voice of Peace from Kandahar wants that lasting peace should be ensured in the country while considering the current political situation. We are ready to expedite our efforts in support of the peace process in the country,” said Sher Ahmad Haqyar, head of Kandahar Peace Council.

Kandahar governor Hayatullah Hayat, meanwhile, stressed the need for face-to-face talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

“Peace will not come unless Taliban sits at the table of negotiations with the Afghan government. We are giving sacrifices for this war, not Pakistan or other countries. Afghans are the main victims. Direct talks will provide the ground for peace in the country,” he said.

This comes as Afghan politicians are preparing to attend Qatar meeting with the Taliban in the middle of this month where the Afghan government will also send a delegation.

According to the High Peace Council, the meeting is a platform for exchanging of views between the delegations of the two sides. (TOLOnews)