SCO summit calls for inclusive govt in Afghanistan

KABUL (TOLOnews): Leaders of member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in a declaration called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
They said that one of the most important factors in preserving and strengthening security and stability in the SCO region is the speedy settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.
The SCO members said they support the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, united, democratic and peaceful State, free of terrorism, war and drugs.
The declaration stated that the member states believe that it is critical to have an inclusive government in Afghanistan “with representatives from all ethnic, religious and political groups of Afghan society.”
Underlining the value of the long-standing hospitality and effective assistance extended by regional and neighboring countries to Afghan refugees, the participants consider the active engagement of the international community in facilitating their dignified, safe and sustainable return to their homeland to be essential.
In view of the evolving humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, SCO members said they support continued efforts to assist the Afghan people.
“Afghanistan’s ethnic groups are not included in this government. They have their complaints; therefore they are leaving Afghanistan,” said Sayed Ishaq Gailani, head of the National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan. “This will have heavy implications for the government, which will face big issues if it doesn’t adjust itself with the requirements of the international community and the people of Afghanistan.”
“The countries in the region have understood that Afghanistan will face a civil war and continued crisis if it doesn’t go through this direction,” said Nematullah Bizhan, an international relations analyst.
The Islamic Emirate has yet to give any remarks in this regard, but it has constantly stressed that its government is inclusive and termed the international community’s call as an ‘interference’ in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
“In the conference of SCO, all neighbors of Afghanistan signed a joint declaration and said that an inclusive government should be formed in Afghanistan. So far, they have not recognized Afghanistan,” said Torek Farhadi, a political analyst.
Afghanistan is an observer member of the SCO, while China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the permanent members.