Afghanistan to Have No Path to Peace by Secret Deals with Taliban: Abdullah

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah has said that the country will have no path to peace by secret deals with Taliban.

“Secret deals with the Taliban and behind the cartons will not bring peace to Afghanistan. Those people who give sacrifices for peace will also stand against it,” said CE Abdullah during the fourth death anniversary of Marshal Muhammad Qasim Fahim, former Vice-President.

In the meantime, Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayaf, a prominent Jihadi leader has called on the government to offer any conditions to Taliban after they joined the peace process.

“Propose and promise them (Taliban) but after they joined the peace process,” Sayaf said.

On February 28, President Ghani offered to allow the Taliban to establish itself as a political party and said he would work to remove sanctions on the militant group, among other incentives, if it joined the government in peace negotiations.

In return, the militants would have to recognize the Kabul government and respect the rule of law.

But the Taliban has continued to reject direct peace talks with the Afghan government and insisted it will only negotiate with the United States, which it calls a “foreign occupying force.” The Taliban also says that NATO forces must withdraw before negotiations can begin.