Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has announced that his government was extending the ceasefire with the Taliban arguing that “in the last 24 hours, there was a consensus between the Afghan government and the Taliban on peace, it proved that we are all for peace”. He laid out a detailed ceasefire plan along with his plea for peace in the following tweets:
Few days ago when we were preparing for ceasefire many were skeptical that Taliban will not comply, and also how will it be put into practice? But those doubts were removed once ceasefire began and assumptions made by many analysts and politician were proven wrong.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
We’re ready for comprehensive negotiations, all those issues and demands that have been put-forth we are ready to discuss them at the peace talks. The Afghan government is ready to discuss issues of mutual concern with neighboring countries, and presence of foreign forces.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
Peace is an urgent need and as it turned out that in the last 24 hours there was a consensus between the Afghan government and the Taliban on peace, it proved that we are all for peace. Fortunately, there’s also consensus among the international community on peace in Afghanistan.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
A good example of this consensus is the joint Eid prayers performed by the Taliban and government employees in different mosques and Eidgahs.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
Both sides sang about peace and harmony, and in Eid the environment during the Eid sermons was different than before, all the religious scholars and Imams spoke about the value, significance and importance of peace in Islam.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
To respect the public’s wishes and to support their demands about peace, I am ordering the security and defense forces to extend the ceasefire from the fourth day of Eid. We will soon share the details of the proposed ceasefire with the nation.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
We also request the Afghan Taliban to extend their ceasefire. During the ceasefire, we will provide medical assistance to the wounded Taliban, and will provide them any humanitarian assistance if needed,. Taliban prisoners will also be allowed to contact and see their families.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
In the north, northwest, west and south of the country there has been a severe drought that has caused millions of Afghans to suffer and face monumental risks.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
If the ceasefire continues, this will allow everyone to share their resources in order to help the people who are affected, so our desire for peace and prosperity will be truly realized.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
Previously, many Afghan took to social media to share scenes of jubilation and photos showing Taliban, Afghan security forces and Afghans greeting each other on Eid.
I am beside myself. What an increibdle magical moment in Afghanistan this #Eid .
A Talib hands members of the #ANSDF (Afghan forces) red roses 🌹. It’s never happened before. #ceasefire #Afghanistan 😩🕊🇦🇫🙏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/2GdzCNQwhH— Fereshta Kazemi (@FereshtaKazemi) June 16, 2018
#Kunduz: Taliban in Kunduz main square but this time for Eid celebration together with ANDSF under #cease fire. #peace #ceasefire #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/3HQbepSRle
— Ehsan (@ehsan_af) June 15, 2018
This woman from eastern Afghanistan takes a group of ladies and elders to the Taliban and demand the extension of ceasefire. Now Afghan women are part of every aspect of life here and can no more be excluded from any political process. https://t.co/DcYeoFQaww
— Habib Khan Totakhil (@HabibKhanT) June 17, 2018
For years they traded fire & no doubt were after each other’s life. Today they are exchanging flowers instead.
Afghan Short Truce, Thirst for Peace is Rising. pic.twitter.com/lWC2LpQKiC— sayed salahuddin (@sayedsalahuddin) June 16, 2018
© Copyright Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
