Khaama, 7 March 2021
The Kabul-based news agency quotes from AAN analysis by Thomas Ruttig of the new US peace plan for Afghanistan:
Afghanistan Analysts Network reported that Khalilzad also proposed a Bonn-type conference that would be aimed to either cancel or sideline the peace process.
The “Bonn 2” have been discussed in a number of capitals and with different Afghan leaders, AAN reported.
The proposal appears aimed at ensuring a US troop withdrawal that would not look like Washington is cutting and running, AAN stated adding that any new power-sharing agreement reached as a ‘quick fix’ to the conflict would be inherently risky.
This could include increased conflict and the breaking down and loss of whatever stability and systems Afghanistan now enjoys. (…)
Thomas Ruttig, who was at the first Bonn conference as part of the UN team says the situation is different in 2020 from those in 2001 according to him the second Bonn conference is disingenuous, AAN said in their report.
Ruttig states that according to sources, the US envoy told Afghan politicians that the peace talks in Doha will be sidelined and that a Bonn Conference-style meeting will be held at the international level to discuss the prospect of a participatory government that would include the Taliban. (…)
According to AAN, the new Bonn type conference will prioritize only the interests of the United States, and if agreed the cause of conflict will be remained unaddressed.
Having only armed factions repeat a major mistake of Bonn 1 and it would undercut the principle of broad participation and deprive women’s organizations and other civil society groups to join the meeting and this would limit the chances of a prolonged peaceful future, AAN said in their report.
AAN indicated if both parties came forward to any form of truce with it the withdrawal of troops comes and international powers’ leverage, interest, and attention will be reduced on the Afghan parties and the country.
Revisions:
This article was last updated on 9 Mar 2021
