Spelling out the contours of Mullah Omer’s message
Mullah Omar’s Eid message addressed to Afghan Mujahideen, people of Afghanistan, Muslims around the world assisting Afghan jihad, world at large and the occupying forces in Afghanistan, is a subject of debate in the media aimed at ferreting out what the message really means and what promise it holds in resolving the Afghan conundrum.
As per my feeble understanding, there has been no material and perceptible change in the stance of the Taliban in regards to the complete withdrawal of occupying forces from Afghanistan. The Taliban out-rightly reject the prospects of a security pact between US and Karzai regime for maintaining presence of the US troops or retention of some bases beyond 2014 and, as usual, do not recognize the legitimacy of the Karzai government. The message unequivocally says, “The Western invaders should have come around by now to realise that the Afghans do not want foreign invaders and their installed rulers. If they think that they can pave the way for a permanent (military) presence by resorting to misinformation and gimmicks and by implementing different schemes or in their words, convening a fake Loya Jirga for approval of the security agreement or by creating other pretexts, they are wrong.”
Their contention is that the talks being held with the US through the political office of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan at Doha are meant only to negotiate the withdrawal of the foreign troops from Afghanistan. The message defends the independence of the Taliban contrary to the contention of the Karzai regime that they were controlled by Pakistan. It says, “The developments following the opening of the political office of the Taliban proved that Islamic Emirate is independent, strong and unwavering in its decisions. It was also proved that the Islamic Emirate has shown and is showing honesty and commitment to resolve problems of its oppressed people in the light of Islamic principles and national interests.”
From the foregoing it is quite evident that the Taliban remain adamant as ever on the question of complete withdrawal of US-NATO troops from Afghanistan and would not tolerate the presence of any troops beyond 2014. They will negotiate only on one-point agenda of how that withdrawal can be brought about or facilitated. The Taliban are also not willing to accept any government installed by the US through sham elections or any other means and that is why Mullah Omar has urged the Afghan people not to participate in those elections. They also vehemently reject the idea of dividing Afghanistan on geographical or ethnic lines. Their top most priority is to ensure the libration of Afghanistan and they believe that once the foreign troops leave they can have rapprochement with other Afghans. This hope is reflected in these worlds: “When the occupation ends, reaching an understanding with the Afghans will not be a hard task because by adhering to and having common principles and culture, the Afghans understand each other better. But the invaders and their allies are creating obstacles in the way of resolving problems by making various pretexts.”
In the backdrop of position taken by the Taliban, the US plans to choreograph an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solution before the pull-out of US-NATO troops, signing a security pact with the current Afghan government for retention of US troops till 2024, giving India a predominant role in helping the holding of 2014 elections and Indian presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014, signaling a recipe for disaster. Granted that during the course of negotiations, the US agrees to drop these pre-conditions and remains confined only to negotiating withdrawal terms with the Taliban, there is no guarantee that the Afghans will be able to forge the unity that the Taliban envisage feasible after the occupying forces leave Afghanistan. It is a very vague and over optimistic proposition that does not spell out the contours of any plan if the Taliban have to pull it through. The US ultimately will withdraw even if they have to leave Afghanistan as it is at the moment but it will again be the Afghans who will suffer because of the re-emergence of the factional conflict in the absence of an agreed power sharing arrangement before the US-NATO withdrawal.
The reconciliation in Afghanistan to pave the way for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solution in that war ravaged country is absolutely necessary before the US withdrawal. The Taliban need to change their stance on the issue. May be Pakistan and other regional countries who have a stake in peace in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia can facilitate this process by impressing upon Taliban and other factions the desirability of reaching an understanding on the future governance arrangement in the country prior to exit of the occupying forces.
The message, however, contains two very encouraging portents. The acknowledgement of the necessity for modern education along with learning the religious teachings is a revolutionary change in their attitude towards scientific and modern learning. The other development that indicates some element of flexibility in the stance of Taliban regarding governance is that they have indicated their willingness to have an inclusive government. However, they remain uncompromising on the establishment of an Islamic government in the country. The message makes it clear in these words: “I once again reiterate that we do not think of monopolising power. Those who truly love Islam and the country and have commitment to both, whoever they may be or whichever ethnicity or geographical location they hail from, this homeland is theirs.”
Pakistan has a big stake in peace in Afghanistan as it is absolutely vital in tackling the phenomenon of terrorism and religious extremism in the country. The US withdrawal and the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with Taliban sharing bigger chunk of power, if it comes about, will also help Pakistan in arriving at a negotiated settlement with TTP as per the declared stance of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. History is a witness to the fact that all conflicts are ultimately resolved on the table. However for the talks to take place, a conducive and facilitating environment is absolutely necessary. The TTP ideologically is aligned with Afghan Taliban and considers Mullah Omar as their supreme leader. The foremost priority for Pakistan, therefore, should be to help in creating conducive conditions for holding the envisaged parleys with TTP, by playing its role in nudging the process of rapprochement in Afghanistan and withdrawal of US-NATO troops.
The writer is an academic.
