Peace treaty after two decades of war

German original: Click here Author: Emran Feroz US and Taliban Peace treaty after two decades of war   The US negotiator Zalmay Khalizad, and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar from the Taliban signed the historic peace treaty in Doha.  (c) APA/AFP/GIUSEPPE CACACE (GIUSEPPE CACACE) Feb 29, 2020 Report by Emran Feroz, Kabul On Saturday, the United States and the radical Islamic Taliban signed an agreement in Qatar to pave the way for a permanent fresh start in Afghanistan. But there are great doubts as to whether the matter will hold up. ‘We are finally bringing our soldiers home’, US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday after US and Taliban negotiators signed a historic peace agreement in Qatar’s capital Doha, after 19 years of war. As a result, to put it simply, all US and allied forces (including Austria) should withdraw within 14 months. In return, the Taliban promise not to tolerate violence against the United States from Afghan territory and to come to terms with the government in Kabul. However, the latter is in a weak phase due to internal rivalries after the presidential election. Mohammed Hanif, a doctor from Kabul, is concerned about the situation in the capital: ‘Some are not satisfied with the election results. I understand that, but many are just looking for personal benefits. The government has to represent us together as a people. Otherwise the enemy will benefit from this crisis. ‘ A debilitated government. Two weeks ago - after a waiting period of five months - the results of the election were announced, and incumbent Ashraf Ghani was declared the winner. His main opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, the head of government, protested against this “electoral fraud” and announced that he is willing to run his own government. By now, he has appointed several officials, including governors for two provinces in the north of the country. The agreement with the Taliban doesn’t really make things easier for the Kabul government –  it was not even properly involved in the negotiations. Thus the Doha Treaty came about on Saturday, where talks between US diplomats and Taliban had taken place in the past 18 months. Among others, the ceremony was accompanied by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who also signed the pact, and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, leader of the Taliban delegation. The deal also includes the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners. In the first 135 days after signing, the number of US soldiers will be reduced to 8,600; currently, (the data is being kept secret ) there are said to be more than 13,000 troops in the country, plus thousands of mercenaries. In return, the Taliban pledge to stop any operations against the United States and to bury its ties to al-Qaeda. No shelter may be granted to persons perceived by the United States as a security threat. In addition, they’ll participate in an intra-Afghan dialogue. In the 2001 conflict that began in after the September 11, 2001 attack New York, more than 1,900 US soldiers were killed and more than 20,000 injured. Other countries also had losses: the German Bundeswehr suffered about 59 deaths. The number of Afghan soldiers killed is unknown. Between 32,000 and 60,000 civilians died, according to the UN. As a precondition for the peace agreement, a “reduction in violence” took place last week, which was largely adhered to by all sides. A long-term ceasefire is one of the goals of the agreement. When it will be initiated is unclear. Until recently, most of the fighting took place between Afghan soldiers and Taliban fighters. Many Afghans see the treaty as a first step towards peace. However, there are numerous questions. Additionally, there is a concern that the Taliban will use this opportunity at the latest after the foreigners have withdrawn to bring themselves back to power. ‘Any efforts for peace should be welcomed. If the Taliban indeed don’t reach for your beards again, you shall be allowed to spit on my beard’, Tabish Forugh, an Afghan commentator, commented on the event. That the Kabul government was excluded from all talks between the Americans and the Taliban which is another reason why it’s being criticised. US negotiator Khalilzad, who is of Afghan origin, often made it clear that the government would be involved as soon as the deal was signed. However, with the Kabul government’s exclusion, Washington responded to a demand of the Taliban who consider Kabul to be a ‘puppet regime’. Taliban, the a secret winners. The Taliban will benefit from the government crisis. “Ghani and Abdullah must not fight each other but must find a solution. The internal problems paint a bad picture of all Afghans”, says Muneer Ahmad Niazi, university lecturer in Kabul. Meanwhile, another ceremony took place in Kabul on Saturday, during which a ‘joint declaration’ between Washington and Kabul was signed. In it, the US continues to assure its help to the government of Afghanistan.