MONITORING (SW) – Hamdullah Muhib, the National Security Adviser, has said respect for the Constitution should be supreme in the peace process that must be inclusive and representative, not a deal made between elites.
He said this while addressing the UN Security Council debate "On the Situation in Afghanistan" on Monday. Muhib said the Afghan government and the Afghan people have made commitments to peace. Muhib said it is up to the Taliban to prove their commitment, they have so far failed to seize opportunities for peace yet the government stands ready to engage in direct talks.
“If the Taliban genuinely want peace, they should demonstrate it through positive deeds, not by continued attacks against innocent people and our security forces”, he said.
The NSA added peace also goes hand in hand with elections. “We thank the United Nations for its steadfast support of the democratic process in Afghanistan, and count on its continued technical support for the upcoming polls”, he said while stressing the government is committed to hold the presidential polls on time.
He urged the international community to see Afghanistan as a platform for regional and global cooperation, not just for mutual economic benefit but also for shared objectives for peace and stability.
Earlier, Tadamichi Yamamo, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of the UAMA presented his report to the UNSC. He said the current moment represents perhaps the most significant chance to date for a negotiated settlement to the long and devastating conflict in Afghanistan. “It is my hope that the ongoing efforts by Member States towards a comprehensive peace process will bring about direct talks between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban”, he said.
He reiterated that a sustainable peace agreement can be reached only through comprehensive intra-Afghan dialogue. He called for the beginning of immediate, direct and substantive talks, towards the hope of ending this conflict and its unacceptable toll in lives.
ENDS
