Afghan govt for complete ceasefire amid US-Taliban talks

KABUL: Afghan government spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi has said that the Afghan people and the government reject the proposed "reduction in violence" by the Taliban as an "ambiguous term with no legal or military parameters.".

“Any suggestion the Taliban have shared with the US must include ceasefire as it is the demand of our people," Sediqqi said while addressing a news conference in Kabul. Sediqqi said talks are underway between US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad’s team and the Taliban negotiators, but there had been "no progress so far," referring specifically to discussions about a ceasefire or reduction in violence, TOLO news reported.

The spokesperson said that ending the war and bringing peace to the country are priorities of the government of Afghanistan and “the president and the people of Afghanistan have always insisted on a ceasefire.” Sediqqi reiterated that the people should see a ceasefire because it is the “most important demand of Afghans.”

He added that reduction in violence “is not practical” and “we hope that the Taliban will end violence as it will lead them nowhere.” “The Taliban “should accept a ceasefire if they are really interested in peace,” as it is the “demand of the people of Afghanistan,” he said.