The US administration of President Joe Biden intends to review a deal between Washington and the Taliban made last February, according to Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday.
Sullivan spoke with his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib on the telephone where the two officials discussed the US-Afghan partnership and peace in the Asian country, said a statement by National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne.
The US will back the peace process to help the Afghans and the Taliban “achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire,” Sullivan said during the conversation.
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“Mr. Sullivan also made clear the United States’ intention to review the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement, including to assess whether the Taliban was living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders,” said the statement.
The US and Taliban signed an agreement that called for peace talks between the two Afghan sides.
In addition, the two officials discussed US support for protecting the extraordinary gains made by Afghan women, girls and minority groups as part of the peace process.
“Mr. Sullivan committed to consulting closely with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO allies, and regional partners regarding a collective strategy to support a stable, sovereign, and secure future for Afghanistan.”
A wise and important start. https://t.co/JKcE9Mv76I
— Zia Asey (@ZiaAsey) January 23, 2021
“Mr. Sullivan committed to consulting closely with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO allies, and regional partners regarding a collective strategy to support a stable, sovereign, and secure future for Afghanistan,” the statement added.
Violence increases
The talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban have been marred by an increase in violence from the start, but a new trend is a wave of high-profile targeted killings of officials, activists, and journalists.
The deputy governor for Kabul province, five journalists, and a prominent election activist have been among those assassinated in Kabul and other cities since November.
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Officials blame the Taliban for the mayhem, although the militant Islamic State group has claimed some of the assaults.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk