KABUL - Senior officials from former president Hamid Karzai’s cabinet said the peace process is facing a crisis.
Addressing guests at an event to mark the launch of a new political movement, former government officials and some analysts said the peace process is facing a crisis and that Kabul and the international community lack the will to jumpstart the reconciliation process.
The former officials said the US’s strategy “does not mean a victory against the Taliban”.
“A just competition and just environment and just preconditions are impossible in a system where its leaders lie and deceive the people systematically,” said Rangin Dadfar Spanta, the former national security advisor.
Addressing the launch of the new Movement For Peace, Justice and Freedom of Afghanistan – led by political and military analysts Ahmad Saeedi and Jawed Kohistani – Spanta said: “Victory is not possible, and peace is not possible without a strict will and without specifying Taliban’s supporters and without eliminating the Taliban.”
“The peace process is facing a crisis on a national and international level. Neither government nor peace institutions or the international community have a clear program for peace,” said Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, former vice president.
Qanooni said no delay is acceptable in the peace process.
“The Independent Election Commission should announce the timeline for the presidential election. No delay will be acceptable in this election,” he added.
Other participants at the event meanwhile called on Taliban to join the peace process.
“The peace offer is not comprehensive or clear, but we call on the Taliban to join the (peace) process,” said Anwar-ul-haqAhady, head of the New National Front of Afghanistan.
The remarks come just weeks after government made a peace offer, without preconditions, to the Taliban. The group, however, has not yet responded to the offer. (Tolo news)