(VOVWORLD) - The US government last week held direct talks with the Taliban, which has ruled Afghanistan since August. The talks in Doha, Qatar, were the latest and most remarkable move in an effort to pressure the Taliban to honor its commitments to end violence, promote reconciliation, respect human rights.
 Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi says the agenda focuses on humanitarian aid and the implementation of their promises. (photo: Karim Jaafar/AFP) |
The two-day talks last weekend took place with the Taliban trying to break its isolation and gain international recognition. The international community has stepped up efforts to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan and pressure the Taliban to abide by global shared values.
Taliban tries to break isolation
In addition to talks with the US, the Taliban also met with representatives from the EU on Tuesday. Before that Taliban leaders held talks with Simon Gass, a special envoy for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on October 5, and conducted ceremonies to receive aid from Qatar, China, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan at Hamid Karzai airport in Kabul. Senior Taliban officials met with UN representatives in September on humanitarian issues.
Analysts say the Taliban’s engagement in talks with other countries aims to break its isolation and gain international recognition. It took control of Kabul on August 15 and established a temporary administration on September 6, but has not yet gained international acceptance. Meanwhile a worsening food, medical, and health crisis in Afghanistan has driven the Taliban to seek external support.
Maintaining pressure and talks
The US and other countries have demanded that the Taliban form an inclusive government, promote domestic reconciliation, and ensure women’s rights.
The US Department of State issued a statement saying that the Doha talks focused on security and terrorism, a safe corridor for Afghanis, Americans and other countries’ citizens, human rights, and the rights of women and girls. It said the US will judge the Taliban on its actions, not just its words. Prior to the meeting, American officials said the Doha talks were not an acceptance of the Taliban.
Leaders of the G20 developing and emerging economies held a special summit on Afghanistan to seek emergency aid for 11 million Afghanis – one-third of the population – who are close to starvation.
Humanitarian aid to save these millions of Afghanis is urgently needed. But the long-term solution for Afghanistan is to build a stable, modern society. The international community wants the Taliban to give up violence and ensure the rights of women and children.