News Analysis |
Russia has decided to snub the Afghan government in order to ensure the participation of Taliban in the scheduled dialogue between them and the opposition politicians of Afghanistan. A dialogue of such magnitude and agenda signifies that even Taliban are aware of potential civil war which withdrawal of United States could result in.
But apparently, Kabul regime is feeling left deserted practically by all sides as expressed by Special Advisor to President Ghani Ashraf Ghani, Fazel Fazly who took a jab at ex-president Hamid Karzai and opposition politicians for walking over the principle stand. “[They] are ready to bypass these principles and move towards [the principles’] destruction due to differences and being away from power,” Fazly’s tweet read.
Atta-ul Rahman Salim, deputy head of the Afghan High Peace Council which comprises top Afghan clerics and other prominent figures, said the only way to peace is through direct talks with the government.
The first President of Afghanistan after the U.S invasion back in 2001, Hamid Karzai is hoping to strengthen the bond between the democratic, political bench of the country and fighting insurgents. Karzai confirmed his attendance at the talks, saying in a tweet he would carry a message of “peace, unity sovereignty and progress for all of us”.
Taliban are not Anticipating to Rule Alone
Contrary to the general belief– that Kabul is going to be taken over as soon as the last U.S boot leaves the country and another round of bloodshed which would continue for years would start– recent developments are suggesting an otherwise outcome. Last week, one of the most conciliatory statements till date came from representative of Taliban in Qatar Suhail Shaheen in an audio statement issued via audio tape. “After the end of the occupation, Afghans should forget their past and tolerate one another and start living like brothers. After the withdrawal, we are not seeking a monopoly on power,” said Shaheen.
Read more: Russia to meet ISIS threat from Afghanistan
The outreach initiative on part of Russia to bring both sides of the Afghan political landscape is going to be helpful in determining the post-U.S future of Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman Zabhullah Mujahid said the conference was about “opening channels to reach an understanding with non-government Afghan political groups”. He said the movement wanted to explain its policies towards an “enduring peace in the homeland and establishment of an intra-Afghan Islamic system of governance”.
However, Kabul seems reluctant in believing that the idea of co-existence is going to materialize anytime soon. Atta-ul Rahman Salim, deputy head of the Afghan High Peace Council which comprises top Afghan clerics and other prominent figures, said the only way to peace is through direct talks with the government.
A part of the reason why Russia feels so invested in the security spectrum in the wake of ISIS in Afghanistan and rest corresponds to geopolitical and strategic gain which would gradually make Russia more significant.
“If the Taliban really want to join the peace process, the best and easy way to start is with direct peace talks with the Afghan government,” he said, adding that “there is a big difference between what you say and what you do.”
Russia Looking Ahead in Future
While the United States is concerned about a relatively smooth exit from Afghanistan, a face-saving, Russia is exploring opportunities to remain relevant in Afghanistan after the United States leaves the country. Current Kabul regime comprises of Tajiks, Uzbek, Hazaras and Pushtuns, the Northern Alliance or whatever is left of it, who disagree with Taliban ideology, and precisely the factions which led the demise of Soviet Union in Afghanistan. A part of the reason why Russia feels so invested in the security spectrum in the wake of ISIS in Afghanistan and rest corresponds to geopolitical and strategic gain which would gradually make Russia more significant.
Read more: Afghanistan: Once again becoming a U.S.-Russia Proxy Battle
A fact that countries like China and Russia are already engaged in formal talks with the Taliban is enough to calibrate that the U.S installed political setup has already failed. The vows to bring democracy into Afghanistan have failed and everything seems back to be square one. But unexpectedly, it is the Taliban who, as of now, are looking more inclusive and do not want arrangements as they used to be before the U.S invasion. It is encouraging for the general people of Afghanistan at large since they have been the primary victim of the contest of holding power reins of Afghanistan.