KABUL (SW): Analysts believe if Taliban representatives from their Qatar office take part in the next rounds of talks the prospect of reaching a meaningful conclusion will improve drastically.
The second round of peace negotiations is set to take place next week once again in Pakistan. Stakes are high that the sides might strike a ceasefire deal. Officials in the Kabul government have hinted that at least one female from represent the government delegation.
Hassan Haqyar, political analysts believe if Taliban’s representatives from their Qatar office join the talks not only are the two sides more likely to reach a truce but Taliban are also more likely to keep their promises on other fronts as well.
The talks are taking place in the backdrop of growing concerns about the militant group dividing into different fractions, which might pose a risk to the peace talk’s effectiveness even if an agreement is reached.
Wahid Mujda, another political analyst argued that even the Taliban are not fully confident about the government keeping its word in case of a ceasefire.
He further explained that there are some people in the government who do not believe in peace talks and want to continue with using force to resolve the conflict. He however, strongly believed that the presence of Taliban representatives from their Qatari office could change the course of negotiations for good.
These landmark talks have been endorsed by the Taliban's supreme leader Mula Omar. In a clear reference to the talks, he said in his Eid message that meetings and even peaceful interactions with the "enemies" were not prohibited by Islam. “All Mujahidin and countrymen should be confident that in this process, I will unwaveringly defend our legal rights and viewpoint everywhere, he said adding we have established a ‘Political Office’ for political affairs, entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring and conducting all political activities", the message read.
In eyes of Jawed Kohistani, an expert on security affairs, the talks would only be successful if all splinter groups affiliated with the Taliban obey the decisions made during the talks.
The U.S.. China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are believed to be part of back-channel confidence building measures. In the first round of talks held in Pakistan’s tourist resort Muree earlier in July, observers from Washington and Beijing were present when Kabul government representatives met face to face with the Taliban representatives.
Maulvi Shahzada Shahid, spokesman for Afghanistan’s High Council for Peace (HCP) has said the two parties had agreed in Murree to meet again on July 29.
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