From Ghani’s “National Consensus” to Differences within Administration; Why we Not Reach Peace
Domestic differences are undoubtedly the reasons for Afghanistan government’s political instability which is widely sensed among ethnic and political leaders of National Unity Government (NUG).
Domestic differences are undoubtedly the reasons for Afghanistan government’s political instability which is widely sensed among ethnic and political leaders of National Unity Government (NUG).
Mr. Ghani talked about national consensus in the second so-called Kabul Process, in the following, the country’s foreign minister warned that ignoring various political factions would not have good consequences.
The foreign minister of Afghanistan and chairman of Jamiat-e Islami party Salahuddin Rabbani said at the second Kabul process that Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic country, and achieving a national and political reconciliation needs a high political consensus at the level of ethnic groups.
“I should say that considering one faction and ignoring other ethnic groups in political processes, will follow bad social and security consequences,” Mr. Rabbani emphasized.
This comes as M. Ashraf Ghani said at the second Kabul Process that the government is ready to negotiate with Taliban without any precondition anywhere in the world, releasing prisons and recognize this group as a political party.
The second Kabul Process was held in Kabul last week, attended by at least 25 representatives of countries and international organizations to reach a consensus on peace in Afghanistan. But President Ghani stated at the meeting that the people of Afghanistan are now reaching a consensus for peace with armed opposition groups, including the Taliban, and conditions are more than ever available for peace, in accordance with the will of the government for peace and the support of the international community.
Relations between Jamiat party led by Salahuddin Rabbani and ARG palace clouded over removing Ata M. Noor as governor of Balkh province.
“Bringing peace in Afghanistan is one of the demands of the people and also NUG’s mission. But any action to remove ethnic groups will complicate the situation,” Mr. Rabbani added.
Aside from Taliban’s reaction, lack of consensus among the neighbors of Afghanistan and lack of coherence in domestic politics of Afghanistan are considered major challenges against this plan.
Although, Ghani’s team believes there is a national consensus on peace, but are all political factions agree with them on this issue?
According to political experts, one of the reasons behind political instability in Afghanistan about peace with Taliban is differences among ethnic and political leaders.
Dr. Najib Paykan, a person close to Ata M. Noor say the NUG failed in internal affairs and as long as internal disputes are not resolved, the peace process with Taliban may not be possible as well.
According to him, currently, there is no consensus on enemy and friend from the president to the lowest official.
Yet, a large number of political factions and ethnic groups have not had good relation with the presidential palace and accuse the central government of monopoly and devising ethnic policies.
Akhtar Suhail
