Still a big challenge
While the Afghan Taliban were yet to announce the death of Mullah Omar, which occurred according to them in recent weeks, the spokesman of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security told the AP on Wednesday that that the Taliban leader had died two years back. It was significant that the announcement was made just two days before the second round of peace talks was to begin. It is no secret that Hamid Karzai and those in Kabul under his influence are not happy with the talks, while not everyone in the establishment is willing to grant the insurgents a political role. It suited these elements in Afghanistan to undermine the talks by making the announcement.
The announcement was in fact intended to raise doubts about the legitimacy of the Taliban delegation which was scheduled to reach Murree today. President Ashraf Ghani, who was originally skeptical about the news, later tried to give it a positive turn. He maintained that grounds for the Afghan peace talks are more paved now than before, and the situation provides an opportunity to all armed opposition groups to join the peace process. There are, however, chances that those in Kabul unhappy with Ghani’s policy would try to sabotage the peace process again.
Mullah Omar’s death poses a big challenge to the Afghan Taliban. Unless the Shura stands united and continues the peace talks the Taliban are likely to be overwhelmed by IS. The failure to re-initiate the now suspended talks would prolong the suffering of the Afghan people. The chances of the success of peace talks this time are greater than ever before. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has placed peace talks at the centre of his agenda. Pakistan fully supports the process and the US and China both appear willing to help jump-start it. The Taliban have indicated that they too are willing to support an end to violence. The elements around Karazai need to realise the dire consequences of opposition to peace.
