The president of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, today announced a cease-fire with the Taliban. In a statement sent byPresident's Office it is clarified that the ceasefire will begin in the 27 day of Ramadan, or the 12 June, and it will last until Id al-Fitr, the party for the end of Ramadan, which falls between the 19 and the 20 June. A week of respite with the Taliban, which, however, will not be extended to al-Qaeda and ISIS groups.
An announcement to which some followed tweet of Ghani, in which he reported the words of his statement in English. "This ceasefire - wrote Ghani on Twitter - it is an opportunity for the Taliban to self-examine the fact that their campaign of violence is not winning and is not getting consensus, but rather is further alienating the Afghans from their cause".
Last Monday, during a gathering of religious in Kabul in which one was issued fatwa against suicide attacks and asking for the start of peace talks, an attacker blew himself up by killing 7 people and injuring 20. The attack was later claimed, however, by terrorists linked to the Islamic State. However, even the Taliban had denounced and harshly criticized this rally, insisting that the holy war against the invaders was justified, exhorting the religious to stand against "the occupation" and in favor of their vision.
Ghani also returned to this point, writing: "The fatwa stated that violence and suicide attacks are not only against Islam but also banned by our religion. We also welcome that only the state can declare Jihad". An important decision therefore, which combined with the cease-fire against the Taliban would make it possible to start a process of relaxation and dialogue. Indeed, this is precisely the goal of Ghani's decision: "Optimize the strength of the Afghan government and seek a peaceful solution to internal conflict".
A war going on by 17 years, and despite the United States and NATO formally concluding the war mission in the 2014, NATO is still massively present on Afghan territory with the mission Resolute Support in order to support and train the Afghan security forces. Ghani's decision will be greatly appreciated by the United States and by NATO, also in virtue of the fact that in the last month General John Nicholson, commander of the American troops in Afghanistan, had hoped for an opening of the peace process, also by virtue of the fact that some elements of the Taliban would have shown serious interest in this regard.
(photo: US Navy)
