By Ayesha Tanzeem VOA News September 30, 2020 ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – The man heading Afghanistan’s peace efforts said Iran did not attend the ceremony marking the opening of talks with the Taliban due to tensions with the United States. “Iran was invited…Sometimes their relations with the United States which [are] under a lot of tension at
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 30, 2020 Afghanistan’s top peace negotiator says Afghanistan and Pakistan are on the threshold of a new relationship characterized by “mutual respect, sincere cooperation, and shared prosperity.” Abdullah Abdullah, who is on a bridge-building mission to Pakistan, said the neighboring countries should shun the suspicion, rhetoric, and conspiracy theories that
NYT: In Panjshir, one of the last holdout regions against the Soviets and the Taliban, some would prefer to go their own way rather than support a government negotiating peace with the insurgency. Deputy head of the upper house of Parliament who represents Panjshir: “…don’t trust the government anymore.” Click here to read more (external
By Ayesha Tanzeem VOA News September 29, 2020 ISLAMABAD – Afghanistan’s senior leadership has told its team in Doha to be flexible in negotiating with the Taliban in order to seize the opportunity to end the country’s conflict, according to Abdullah Abdullah, the chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation. “We’ve asked our own delegation,
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 29, 2020 Afghan officials say a roadside bomb has killed at least 14 civilians in the central province of Daikundi, as violence continues across the country despite ongoing peace talks between Taliban militants and the Afghan government in Qatar. The provincial governor’s spokesman, Nasrullah Ghori, told RFE/RL that seven women,
Ayaz Gul VOA News September 28,2020 ISLAMABAD – Abdullah Abdullah, the head of Afghanistan’s peacemaking High Council for National Reconciliation, has begun a three-day official visit to Pakistan. Abdullah is undertaking his first visit to the neighboring country in more than a decade amid peace negotiations between representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents underway in Qatar. Officials in Islamabad said
Ariana: Afghan Peace Negotiator, Mawlawi Attaullah Lodin said Sunday that the Afghan team and the Taliban peace talks team have not yet reached a consensus on the agenda and framework for negotiations going forward. Click here to read more (external link). Related Recognition of US-Taliban Deal Key to Move Forward: Taliban Abdullah’s official visit to
AP: Afghanistan’s dwindling community of Sikhs and Hindus is shrinking to its lowest levels. With growing threats from the local Islamic State affiliate, many are choosing to leave the country of their birth to escape the insecurity and a once-thriving community of as many as 250,000 members now counts fewer than 700. Click here to
Ariana: Sunday, September 27, marked the 26th anniversary of the takeover by the Taliban of Afghanistan – a day they entered Kabul city flying their white flags, abruptly ending the Burhanuddin Rabbani government. Click here to read more (external link). Related Dr. Najibullah’s supporters commemorate his death
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 26, 2020 Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy for Afghanistan, has predicted the Taliban will not accept a permanent truce until a political deal is reached with the Afghan government. “I think you’re right that the Talibs will not accept a cease-fire, comprehensive and permanent, until there’s a political settlement,” Khalilzad said