Ghani discusses peace talks situation with Austin

President Ashraf Ghani spoke with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Friday evening and discussed bilateral relations and recent developments in the peace process, the Presidential Palace (ARG) said.

The US defense secretary said the Biden administration supports enduring peace, which is beneficial to all Afghans, and a permanent ceasefire, according to ARG.

The statement indicated that Ghani and the US defense secretary expressed their concerns over the sharp increase in violence and targeted killings.

This comes on the heels of a briefing by the International Crisis Group, titled “Afghanistan: Give Peace Talks a Chance”.

According to the group, the new US administration needs more time to set its policy course on Afghanistan and review the US-Taliban agreement signed a year ago; and assess whether the Taliban has complied with commitments it made, which include breaking all ties with terrorist organizations.

The group said US officials need to move quickly to persuade the Taliban to extend the May deadline for a total troop withdrawal. In fact the group suggested another six months was needed.

As part of the agreement with the Taliban, the US stated it would withdraw all troops by end April. In doing so, the Taliban agreed to join the peace talks process in Doha.

However, the talks took at least six months to get off the ground. Based on this, the ICG suggests the Biden administration get an extension to the deadline of six months.

The group also however, suggested the Biden administration signal its commitment to supporting the peace process – despite talks having stalled.

“The Biden administration should immediately signal its commitment to continue supporting the negotiations,” the group stated adding that “for the time being the US administration’s top priority should be to keep the Afghan peace process going and buy the time it will need to face the decisions coming its way.”