The Taliban refused to barter with the staff introduced by the Afghan authorities, the militant group’s spokesman mentioned on Saturday, in a possible setback to the following steps of the US brokered peace course of.
Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid mentioned the group wouldn’t negotiate with the staff because it was not chosen in a method that included “all Afghan factions”.
The Afghan authorities introduced a staff late on Thursday, which was later praised as “inclusive” by US particular envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.
The US signed a troop withdrawal cope with the Taliban in February, however progress on shifting to negotiations between the militant group and the Afghan authorities has been delayed by a feud between Afghan politicians and disagreement between the Taliban and the federal government over the discharge of prisoners and a potential ceasefire as preconditions for talks.
Mujahid mentioned the actual fact the staff was introduced by the Afghan authorities “violated” its settlement with america and that not all sides had agreed to the staff.
“In order to reach true and lasting peace, the aforementioned team must be agreed upon by all effective Afghan sides so that it can represent all sides,” he mentioned.
Najia Anwari, spokeswoman for the Afghan ministry of peace affairs, mentioned in response: “This team was made after wide consultation with different layers of the Afghan society.”
President Ashraf Ghani’s political rival Abdullah Abdullah has not but confirmed whether or not he’ll help the delegation, a transfer diplomats say could be necessary given his camp’s sturdy affect within the nation’s north and west.
His spokesman on Friday declined to substantiate or deny whether or not he would help the staff.
Abdullah’s spokesman and the US Embassy didn’t instantly reply to requests for touch upon Saturday.
Each males declare to be Afghanistan’s rightful chief after disputed September elections.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did not mediate between the 2 males to create an “inclusive” authorities throughout a day-long go to to Kabul on Monday, and introduced a $1 billion reduce in US assist to Afghanistan, which he mentioned might be reversed.
