Ayesha Tanzeem VOA News May 25, 2020 ISLAMABAD – Five countries, several of whom have been closely involved in efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan, issued a joint statement welcoming the Eid cease-fire in the country and calling on all parties to take it forward from here. “We encourage the parties to take further steps
Ayaz Gul VOA News May 24, 2020 ISLAMABAD – The Taliban have announced a temporary cease-fire in Afghanistan during the three-day Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr starting Sunday, a move the United States hailed as “a momentous opportunity” to advance peace efforts in the war-torn country. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani quickly reciprocated the insurgent announcement
The Guardian (UK): People in Afghanistan protested on social media that no women were present at a high-level government meeting, despite assurances from the president that they would be involved in important decision-making roles. The outcry followed a tweeted photo of a meeting of 12 political leaders at the presidential palace – all of them
Tolo News: The political agreement signed on May 17 authorizes a 50-50 percent sharing of the cabinet between President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah. Abdullah, according to the agreement, is the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation. The agreement also allows the two sides to appoint their favorites as governors or to other
Ariana: The Taliban said that the political agreement between President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the president of the High Council for Reconciliation is “just a repetition of the previous mistakes.” The spokesperson of the Taliban’s political office in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen added, “Afghans sides should focus on the real and sincere solution of the
RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan May 17, 2020 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah, both of whom claimed to have won Afghanistan’s presidential election in September, have reached a power-sharing agreement under which Abdullah will lead the government’s efforts to reach a peace deal with the Taliban. The deal also installs a
Tolo News: TOLOnews has obtained a copy of the political agreement between President Ashraf Ghani and his political opponent Abdullah Abdullah that outlines the structure of a future government in which each side will have a 50 percent share. Another aspect of the plan is the establishment of the High Council of National Reconciliation led
Tolo News: In a letter to Abdullah Abdullah, Baktash Eshchi, the son of Ahmad Eshchi, the former Jawzjan governor and ex-member of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, has urged Abdullah not to recommend marshal rank for General Abdul Rashid Dostum in the proposed plan intended to end the political impasse. This comes amid reports
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 5, 2020 The Taliban has called on the Afghan government to speed up the release of prisoners in order to pave the way for negotiations with the militant movement. A landmark deal signed by the United States and the Taliban on February 29 calls for the Afghan government to release
Tolo News: So far, the details of Abdullah’s proposed plan have not been made public, but sources told TOLOnews recently that Abdullah has accepted the leadership of the High Council of Peace and Reconciliation but he has asked for 50 percent share in the cabinet and executive authorities in the appointment of governors and police