Leaders of 8 political parties met President Ghani on behalf of 28 parties calling for greater political parties role in #Elections2018. Some accused Election Support Group (donor group) for blocking parties as Jihadi and Islamist parties. #Afghanistan photo: palace FB
Both IEC and Elections Support Group had earlier issued statements saying that a demand for greater political parties role would delay #Election2018
Some members of the negotiation team have actively engaged with media upon their return to Kabul from the first round of talks with the Taleban in Doha. Here are some of the lines from their media engagement (THREAD):
1) The negotiation team was not divided and did not act based on their political affiliations. The constitution and republicanism served to create a strong consensus among members of the negotiation team from different background (Amin Ahmadi, radionowruz.com/index.php/Post…
2) Two articles are important in the rules of procedures: resolution of disagreements through a joint committee, and Doha agreement in addition to three other principles to serve as the basis for the talks (Ahmadi, ibid)
Dr Abdullah travelled to Pakistan today for official visit. Media report says 8am.af/abdullahs-trip… he plans to visit Delhi, Tehran, Ankara, Beijing etc. This has led to struggle between Ghani & Abdullah. A few days ago Ghani invited Pak PM to visit Kabul. 1/4 #Afghanistan
Earlier, Ghani did not want Abdullah to participate the opening of the intra-Afghan negotiations earlier this month in Doha or wanted him to read the Palace's statement. Abdullah did participate in the opening ceremony & read his own statement 8am.af/abdullahs-trip… 2/4
The Palace wanted Acting Foreign Minister Atmar to represent the Islamic Republic to Doha. According to the report, Atmar prevented a trilateral meeting between the US, Islamic Republic delegation & the Taleban & also prevented Abdullah from sitting next to Pompeo & Qatar FM. 3/4
Member of negotiation team Dr Ahmadi suggests that the Taleban seem to have relinquished the name emirate but seek certain structures similar to those in an emirate system. He appears very soft & avoids even painting a... 1/4
picture of the Taleban saying he would set across them at the negotiation table. He also says that the negotiation team is not seeking to belittle the Taleban & that the Taleban's sentiments & emotions from the last 19 years can be heeded. But he makes a strong case that... 2/4
an amir with absolute power deprives even the second person in the Taleban of personal safety and safety of property. He says they are not there to defend the performance related to governance in the last 19 years which, he admits, has been plagued by problems but to defend 3/4
Conclusions of Jirga committees:
The heads of 50 Jirga committees presented the outcomes of their consultations to the plenary session in presence of the chairman of consultative peace Jirga, administrative board and jirga members. 1/9 facebook.com/AFGHANCE/posts… #Afghanistan
The most important proposed points presented by the heads of the committees for the government and High Council of National Reconciliation to take into account are as below:
• In order to achieve durable and dignified peace, it is necessary for the parties. 2/9
to show required flexibility
• The remaining 400 Taleban prisoners be released so that there are no excuses for postponing the peace negotiations
• Upon the release of the Taleban prisoners, unconditional ceasefire be imposed and the parties should remain committed to it. 3/9
2 questions discussed in the jirga committees.1) the peace negotiations are supposed to start on 20/5/1399 (10 August) between the Islamic Republic of #Afghanistan & the Taleban. The main obstacle to the start of the direct negotiation is the release of 400 Taleban prisoners. 1/2
These prisoners are convicted of crimes which are beyond the president's authorities based on the constitution. Therefore, a decision should be made about one of the following options & advice/consultation of the consultative peace Loya Jirga about this decision is necessary. 2/4
First option: prisoners be released and, in return, based on international guarantees, direct negotiations start, durable ceasefire be established and the way for lasting peace be paved.
Option two: in case of not releasing the prisoners of war, violence and the current...3/4