Afghans are hopeful that a peace deal between the Taliban
and the United States can bring them closer to the end of the country’s ongoing
devastation for more than four decades. This protracted state of war has
resulted in loss of countless lives, massive displacement of people,
particularly women and children, and destruction of infrastructure systems in
the country. Taking into account the price Afghans have paid and
continue to pay, it seems they would eagerly welcome and accept any deal that
can put an end to the ongoing war, but is that really the case and is it that
simple too?
For many Afghans, peace is not simply the end of war between
Taliban and the Afghan army, working in the shadow of US-led troops.
They want equal rights for all citizens as described in the
constitution. They also want a governance system where institutions are capable
of protecting their rights. While the broad contours of the US-Taliban deal
suggests a phased withdrawal of US forces, they also want a commitment by Taliban
to reject internal and external militant groups operating in their territory.
Though, the negotiations have been going on for months, the details remain
unknown.
Afghans want withdrawal of US troops to be complimented by efforts
to address the concerns of women, children, minorities, internally displaced communities,
and returnees. The agreement must also include provisions to ensure equal
participation of all without discrimination based on ethnicity, gender,
language, religion, political, economic and social affiliations.
Since direct talks between the US, led by Special
Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, and Taliban
started in late 2018, a number of experts and political analysts—many of whom
are not Afghans—have said they believe Taliban have changed or reformed. They
say Taliban leaders in Doha have assured them that they recognize that today’s
Afghanistan is not the same as in the late 1990s when they ruled the country.
However, in the eyes and experience of millions of Afghans, the Taliban’s
ideology remains very much unchanged. Is there anything that can be done to
bridge the confidence deficit?
After 18 years of fighting Taliban and US administration appears
ready for troop withdrawal. Yet, even as the US negotiates with Taliban, the
group continues to engage in terrorism and kill civilians indiscriminately. The
question is whether Taliban—at both the leadership and operational levels—have
the capacity, competency, and willingness to put the public good before the
group’s interests. Even if the US-Taliban deal and an eventual peace agreement
brokered by intra-Afghan talks results in Taliban joining the country’s
political system, terrorism will remain a challenge for the country.
Countering terrorism requires more than a military response.
It requires integrated political, social, and economic strategies. Ultimately,
Afghanistan can only tackle its terrorism challenge when it has achieved
political stability, social equity and economic growth, all of which are
interconnected. There is concern that withdrawal could lead to a sudden stop of
humanitarian and development aid, which would be catastrophic. As the US and
international coalition troops drawdown, the international community must
remain engaged to help Afghanistan build a more peaceful, inclusive society.
That is the only way to reduce the high levels of violence the country has
experienced for decades.
Is the international community, particularly the US, willing
to stand by Afghans after the withdrawal of troops? Many Afghans fear that
after the signing of a peace deal between the US and Taliban, the US will
abandon the country, leading to chaos and civil war much like after the withdrawal
of Soviet troops some 30 years ago. An abandoned Afghanistan could be exploited
by violent extremist groups around the world and bring Afghanistan right back
to where it was in 2001.
