Article Writer: Muhammad Amir Siddique Journalist Vienna Austria.
Whatever I write with my pen, I write thoughtfully and talk about humanity.
The Doha Agreement, also known as the US-Taliban Agreement, was a historic peace agreement signed on 29 February 2020, between the United States and the Afghan Taliban. The agreement aimed to end the 19-years-long conflict, since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. However, the implementation of the agreement has been fraught with challenges, including ongoing violence and instability in the country, delays in the intra-Afghan negotiations, and apprehensions over the Taliban’s enshrined commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.
One of the major challenges to the implementation of the Doha Agreement has been the non- compliance of the Interim Afghan government. The Afghan government has been criticized for failing to take concrete steps towards peace and ensure continuity to engage in military operations against the Terrorist groups. This has led to a worsening security situation in the country, and resultantly; violence and terrorist attacks on civilians continued galloping.
Moreover, the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has also worsened; thousands of people displaced due to the degenerative intra conflicts and scarcity of amenities including shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The interim Afghan government owes a squared responsibility for the well-being of Afghan masses and stability in the country. However, the government has been criticized for failing to address these issues and/ or lacking credibility and capability to take concrete steps towards peace and stability.
Adding to the trouble is the emergence of ISKP L.e. the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group, which significantly positioned itself as a main rival to the Taliban incumbents. The group have carried out several attacks in the country, including a deadly attack on a May 2021 deadly blow on girl’s school in Kabul. The presence of ISKP in the country impedes peace making process to a conundrum with dangerous propositions. In addition to extemal / inter groups exigencies, the Taliban also face internal challenges in the form of infighting among splinter groups. This infighting has led to a power struggle within the Taliban, with different factions vying for control. This has further complicated the peace process and raised concerns about the Taliban’s ability sociopolitical detoxification, ensure inclusivity to maintain control of the country.
In nutshell, non compliance to Doha accord is adding to miseries of Interim Afghan Government, further worsening security and human crises in Afghanistan which signifies the adoption of Doha agreement ever than before. The Doha Agreement, remains a vital framework and, fulfilling the obligations under the agreement acceptable to global community. In my reckoning following steps are the dire need of the hour:-
1) One key step towards achieving peace is the need for genuine and inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations that entails bringing together all the key stakeholders in Afghanistan, to negotiate a comprehensive ceasefire and a political settlement to the conflict involving unpalatable dogma.
2) Most concurrent is the step is the need for international support for the peace process particularly the regional key players which have significant sociopolitical influence in Afghanistan, can play a key role in supporting the peace process and helping to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.
3) Finally, there is a need for greater investment in the development of Afghanistan, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and infrastructure. This would help to create the conditions for lasting peace and stability in the country, and would provide a better future for the Afghan government presently going astray.
In conclusion, the Doha Agreement remains a significant road map for achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan. However, the challenges facing the country are significant, requiring the commitment and cooperation of all parties to regain the lost hope towards peace. By working towards genuine and inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations, seeking regional and international support, and investing in the development of the country, the emancipation of unsung Afghans people, through complete cessation of conflicts and ensuring inclusivity, is eminent.