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New gov’t to be formed post-intra-Afghan dialogue: US diplomat
An American diplomat in Afghanistan says that the current government will be short term because a new government would be formed after the intra-Afghan dialogue.
According to him, the current teams in power are not inclusive, warning the Afghan leaders that the formation of the parallel administrations could weaken the Afghan national forces, and on the other hand, it could strengthen the Taliban.
Following the conflicted election between Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, it seems like the American ally has been fed up as the US announced cutting down $1 Billion of its aid to Afghanistan, and now, an American diplomat warns Arg and Sapidar of the shortage of their governance.
The diplomat states he is sure that an all-inclusive delegation will be formed, because there is no other way around, adding that the agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban should be acceptable for the former and present major elements of Afghanistan.
He emphasizes on the inclusivity of the delegation and says that the lists of prisoners have been swapped between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
He further says that the escalation in violence by the Taliban is not acceptable noting that the reason behind this is the delay in the release of the Taliban prisoners. He emphasizes on forming an all-inclusive delegation should be made to run the intra-Afghan talks noting that he doesn’t want Afghanistan to meet Syria’s fate.
The American diplomat adds that it is only these two small teams that have created the problem. It is not worth it to make such troubles for power – a short term power, he added, the process of peace is important. The US cut its aid only to warn these two, to tell them how dangerous it is and how unhappy the US is, he noted.
It comes as the Afghan government held a 4-hour video conference on Wednesday with the Taliban representatives and discussed prisoner releases, the Taliban spokesman for Qatar office, Suhail Shaheen said, adding that the prisoner swap process would begin by March 31st.
Shahabuddin Delawar, president of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), met with Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, to discuss the country’s humanitarian situation and ways to expand assistance for vulnerable communities.
According to ARCS, the meeting focused on support for people affected by natural disasters, Afghan returnees and other vulnerable groups, particularly their urgent humanitarian and healthcare needs.
Delawar thanked the United Kingdom for its humanitarian assistance to people affected by natural disasters and briefed Lindsay on the ARCS’s humanitarian and healthcare activities.
He highlighted the society’s services for children with congenital heart defects at its cardiac hospital, vocational training and skills development programs for vulnerable women and children across seven regional zones, mental healthcare services, and assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
Delawar said decades of hardship had left many Afghans facing mental health challenges, while vulnerable families continued to struggle with difficult living conditions. He stressed the need for expanded humanitarian assistance and healthcare support.
Referring to the return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, Delawar said many families urgently need shelter, food, non-food items and medical services. He called for greater UK cooperation to help meet returnees’ basic needs.
Lindsay praised the ARCS’s humanitarian work and pledged continued cooperation in supporting returnees and other humanitarian initiatives in the coming year. He also said he would seek to facilitate effective cooperation with the society in the healthcare sector.
Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation to expand humanitarian assistance, support vulnerable communities and improve healthcare services in Afghanistan.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Yatin Patel, India’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Muttaqi emphasized that, in line with its balanced foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate attaches importance to relations with India.
Referring to the growing volume of trade between the two countries, he stressed the need to strengthen communication and cooperation between Afghanistan’s and India’s public and private sectors, adding that cooperation should be expanded to make better use of existing capacities.
Meanwhile, Yatin Patel said India seeks to expand its relations and engagement with Afghanistan in the economic, political and humanitarian fields.
Muttaqi also wished Patel success in his new assignment.
Mohammad Naeem, Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met on Wednesday with Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two sides discussed Afghanistan’s political, economic and security situation, regional stability, humanitarian assistance and consular services.
Naeem expressed appreciation for the UK’s humanitarian assistance and cooperation with Afghanistan and stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between the two sides.
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