Abdullah (left) and Ghani (right)
By RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan
February 15, 2016
Afghanistan’s leaders have urged the Taliban to end its 15-year insurgency and negotiate an end to the war.
President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah both made the calls during an event in Kabul on February 15 commemorating the withdrawal of the Soviet Army from Afghanistan in 1989.
“Any opposition group that seeks to live in brotherhood with us is welcome,” Ghani said.
“The day when the sun of stability and peace will rise over Afghanistan and the country will be free from dependency on others is no longer far away, God willing.”
“If you have any wish, idea or opinion, the best thing to do is to come to the table for negotiations,” Abdullah said.
Several rounds of talks were held recently in Kabul and Islamabad to determine a road map to peace.
The talks have involved representatives from the United States, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, but did not include the Taliban.