Next Steps in Peace Process Depends on Taliban’s Performance in Reduction of Violence period: Ghani

On the occasion of the dramatic reduction of violence which began at midnight Friday, President Ashraf Ghani in a message to the Afghan people said that the next steps in the peace process are dependent on the Taliban’s performance during this period.

On the occasion of the dramatic reduction of violence which began at midnight Friday, President Ashraf Ghani in a message to the Afghan people said that the next steps in the peace process are dependent on the Taliban’s performance during this period.
Mr. Ghani mentioned the government’s determination in bringing peace to the country and measures taken during the national unity government in this regard.

“The successful implementation of a three-day ceasefire with the Taliban two years ago, the signing of a peace agreement with Mr Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the holding of the Loya Jirga (grand assembly) for Peace, the offer of unconditional talks with the Taliban which was announced for the first time by me at the Kabul Process, a joint meeting of religious scholars from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, the meeting of women and youth on peace, were our major efforts and measures to achieve peace,” said President Ghani in his message late Friday.
Mr. Ghani underlined that he has agreed with the significant reduction of violence by the Taliban due to the progress of the peace process.

Although he considered the ceasefire as a fundamental condition of inter-Afghan negotiations, a significant reduction in violence is still an important step in the peace process.
“The next steps in the peace process will be based on our assessment and evaluation of the week-long reduction in violence that will clear the path for our next steps, and it should be clear that the peace process is led and owned by the Afghan government,” he added.

President Ghani insisted that the Afghan forces will continue their operations against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups in the country during the reduction in violence period, but the Afghan security forces will be ready to defend the people and their own lives if needed.