ZCZC
BFF-25
AFGHANISTAN-CONFLICT-PEACE-POLITICS
Thousands gather in Kabul for Afghan peace meeting
KABUL, April 29, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Thousands of tribal leaders, religious
figures and politicians from across Afghanistan gathered Monday in Kabul amid
tight security to discuss the war and American efforts to forge a peace deal
with the Taliban.
More than 3,000 people were attending the rare “loya jirga”, which is being
billed as the largest in modern Afghan history, in a bid to set possible
conditions under which they might accept a peace settlement.
The loya jirga — literally “grand assembly” in Pashto — is being held
over four days as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop
withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various
Taliban pledges.
“We want to specify the main lines for the negotiations with the Taliban,”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said at the start of the summit. “We want clear
advice from all of you.”
The jirga is seen as an attempt by the Afghan government to influence the
peace talks between the US and the Taliban aimed at ending more than 17 years
of conflict.
So far, however, the talks have cut out Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a
US stooge.
“Come to any part of the country for talks, why don’t you want to talk to
Afghans?” Ghani said, addressing the Taliban, who have boycotted the jirga.
“We are ready to talk to you without any preconditions.”
– High-level boycotts –
Ghani’s government hopes the high-stakes meeting will define Kabul’s
conditions for any deal, including the continuation of the constitution and
the protection of women’s rights, the media, and free speech.
But some prominent Afghans, presidential hopefuls and government officials
including the country’s chief executive Abdullah Abdullah have boycotted the
assembly.
They have criticised it as an attempt by Ghani to boost his standings ahead
of presidential elections slated for September.
Much of Kabul was locked down Monday, with a week-long public holiday
declared for the duration of the four-day event.
Streets across the capital were closed and hilly overlooks blocked. In the
past, the Taliban have blasted rockets at a tent hosting a loya jirga.
In a statement, the Taliban have vowed that any decisions or resolutions
made at a loya jirga are “never acceptable to the real and devout sons of
this homeland”.
The insurgents now control or influence about half of Afghanistan. They
announced the start of their annual spring offensive early this month,
despite talks with US representatives — dashing hopes for a quick ceasefire
in the war-ravaged country.
The loya jirga is a centuries-old tradition in Afghanistan that has been
convened at times of national crisis or to settle big issues.
The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when Afghan officials endorsed a
security agreement that allowed US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond their
planned withdrawal in 2014.
Delegates this year have split into various committees to discuss
negotiating points for future talks with the Taliban. The summit’s results
are due to be announced Thursday.
BSS/AFP/RY/1758 hrs