Latest News
Senators Suggest Termination of US-Afghan Pact
The House of Elders suggested that Afghanistan should review or cancel the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) signed between Kabul and Washington after a National Unity Government deal brokered by the U.S. in 2014.
“If you want to rescue our people from this misery let’s unconditionally terminate this agreement in coordination with the House of the People,” said Rahmatullah Achekzai a senate member from Kandahar province.
“There is lack of a specific strategy in our foreign policy. If the process continues, Afghanistan will become the battlefield of superpowers where its people will be sacrificed only,” said Amena Afzali another senate member from Herat province.
At the same time, the Speaker of the Upper House of Parliament emphasized that U.S. is not loyal to Afghanistan and has failed to implement its promises to stabilize the country.
“The security agreement was not implemented as the people of Afghanistan expected. The agreement was endorsed by both Houses [Afghan Parliament] and was ratified by the President. According to the procedure, if someone has any consideration this [agreement] should be advised by a two-third of vote in the House,” said Fazel Hadi Muslimyar, the Speaker of the Upper House of Parliament.
Afghanistan and the United States signed the BSA through U.S. Ambassador James B. Cunningham and Afghan national security advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar on September 30, 2014 to allow U.S. military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014. The BSA went into force on January 1, 2015 and remains in force “until the end of 2024 and beyond” unless it is terminated by either side with two years’ notice.
As the Afghan security forces face serious challenges in the fight against terrorism, the Afghan senators demand that Afghan troops must be equipped with heavy and modern military equipments by the U.S. in order to be able to respond to the challenges.
By: Rafi Sediqy & Hesamuddin Hesam