US, Taliban agree truce
Peace agreement could be signed within 10 days
The United States and the Taliban have agreed to a temporary truce that, if successful, would open the way for a deal that would bring American troops home from Afghanistan and end 18 years of war.
The peace deal would call for negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the conflict to start next month, an eventual countrywide cease-fire and a commitment from the Taliban not to harbour terrorist groups like al Qaida, while setting a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops.
The truce marks a milestone in efforts to end America’s longestrunning conflict and fulfil President Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to bring US troops home from foreign conflicts. But prospects for a real and lasting peace remain unclear.
Details were provided separately yesterday by a US official and a
Taliban official.
The US official said the agreement for a seven-day “reduction in violence” was “very specific” and covered the entire country, including Afghan government forces. There were indications a formal announcement could be imminent.
The official said the Taliban had committed to a halt in roadside and suicide bombings as well as rocket attacks. If the Taliban uphold their commitments, a US-Taliban peace agreement would be signed within 10 days.
The Taliban official said the signing had been tentatively set for February 29, and the start of the Afghan talks planned for March 10. The official said Germany and Norway had offered to host the talks.
That Taliban official said the agreement would provide for the release of 5000 Taliban prisoners before the negotiations.
The development came as US
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper met yesterday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of an international security forum in Munich.
Washington is going to need the cooperation of Ghani, who has been critical of the way US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has conducted the talks with the Taliban. There is also disagreement over who will represent Kabul at the negotiating table.