Policy Brief 100 Days of The Afghan Peace Talks In Perspective June 2020 The Institute of War and Peace Studies -IWPS Table of Contents Editorial..............................................................................................................................................................3 Key stakeholders parallel interviews................................................................................................................4 Sima Samar interview ....................................................................................................................................4 Fawzia Koofi interview ..................................................................................................................................5 Mullah Agha Jan Mutasim interview .............................................................................................................6 Political update from inside Afghanistan.........................................................................................................7 A crisis beyond the authority of IEC; Dr. Ghani and Dr. Abdullah deal.........................................................6 Regional update ................................................................................................................................................9 Reactions to the U.S.-Taliban peace deal: Regional consensus on the horizon?...........................................10 High profile attacks and level of violence around the country ...................................................................11 Militants attack despite the Peace Deal and Ramadan .................................................................................11 Attacks on Mosques, hospital and funeral gathering ...................................................................................12 ANDSF resumes an offensive posture against the Taliban ..........................................................................12 Civilian casualties; UNAMA reports ............................................................................................................13 Ceasefire and sanctions monitoring ..............................................................................................................13 Hopes for extending a three-day ceasefire: Taliban kills more soldiers .......................................................14 The Taliban remains under sanctions due to disagreements in Kabul...........................................................14 Tracking the withdrawal of foreign troops ..................................................................................................15 Shadowing Khalilzad......................................................................................................................................16 Doha tracker....................................................................................................................................................17 Prisoners exchange .........................................................................................................................................18 Peace Recommendations ...............................................................................................................................19 References .......................................................................................................................................................21 June 2020 | 2 Policy Brief Editorial Dear Reader, nical and financial initiatives and in- struments. One of them is the EU-Af- The European Union (EU) Dele- ghanistan Peace Support Mechanism gation in Afghanistan is delighted (EU-APSM) where the Swedish to partner with the Institute of War Cooperation Agency, SIDA, is our and Peace Studies (IWPS) and the partner. This IWPS-AUAF policy re- American University of Afghanistan view has been sponsored by APSM, a (AUAF). Both have committed their mechanism that has already provided utmost to deliver this policy review support to a number of projects aimed on the trends and developments of the at promoting an inclusive peace pro- Afghan peace process. cess. There is no higher priority for the Af- The Eid ceasefire and subsequent re- Pierre Mayadoun ghans and the international communi- duction in violence, combined with ty than the end of an aimless war that prisoner releases, have sent some Ambassador has brought, for too long, sorrow and positive signals and opened the way The European Union Delegation devastation to this land and its popu- for the Intra Afghan Negotiation. But in Afghanistan lation. An inclusive and sustainable the current level of violence is far too political settlement is needed. And the high. It is now urgent to achieve a 14 June 2020 moment is now. complete ceasefire that will not only On 29 May, the Foreign Affairs Coun- allow the negotiation to start under cil of the EU conveyed its views on the best possible auspices but also the peace process, the role of the EU enable all stakeholders to combat the in that context, and called for a future COVID-19 pandemic in a more effec- that will offer to all Afghans the guar- tive manner. antees of freedom and dignity under The European Union Delegation sup- the umbrella of the Islamic Republic. ports all parties committed to bring- The EU delegation in Afghanistan ing a sustainable peace and offering a supports the Afghan peace efforts better future to the people of Afghan- through a variety of political, tech- istan. June 2020 | 3 The Institute of War and Peace Studies -IWPS Key stakeholders parallel interviews Key stakeholders parallel interviews update you on the current situation from the perspective of the key stakeholders involved in the peace dialogue with the Taliban; including former Taliban officials. In this issue of the IWPS policy brief, Sima Samr,1 Fawzia Koofi2 and Mullah Agha Jan Mutasim,3 representing the Taliban, human rights activists and states- women are approached with the following three questions: Questions: A) How hopeful are you that Afghanistan will reach a political settlement with the Taliban in a year from now and why? B) Do you think the Taliban have changed? How? C) What are the main challenges to achieving a lasting peace in Afghanistan? and many Taliban leaders live in ful in the past initiatives. It is import- that country; Pakistan provides them ant to learn from the past experienc- safe haven, trains them and equips es; if the process is monopolized by them. Even they are being assisted some party or group it will not be in negotiations. Of course the other successful. neighboring country, Iran, also plays If justice, human rights and dignity its role. Unfortunately, U.S.-Iran are undermined, or ignored we will controversy has a strong impact on not have peace; peace in the absence the situation. of justice and human rights serves Sima Samar interview 3) Whether there is unity among the as a new prison for the citizens par- national leaderships and whether ticularly for women and minorities. A) I am optimistic of course. But it they have strong political commit- Peace cannot be achieved in a hasty depends on several factors including ment toward peace. To what extent the multi stakeholders and complex the peace process is transparent and nature of social- political fabric of 1. Sima Samar is the former head of Afghanistan whether it has the support of the ma- Independent Human Rights Commission. She is our society particular due to con- jority of the people. Most important- co-founder of the Shuhada Organization that oper- tinuation of war for more than four ates more than one hundred schools and dozens of ly to what extent the peace process clinics and hospitals dedicated to providing educa- decades, the following issues are im- is inclusive. It depends on whether tion and healthcare, particularly focusing on women portant in my view: and girls. She served in the Interim Administration those involved in the process pre- of Afghanistan and led the first-ever Ministry of 1) Whether the international com- fer national interest over personal Women’s Affairs. munity is serious about [human se- 2. Former parliamentary lawmaker, FawziaKoofi is interest and do not try to sabotage an outspoken advocate for the rights of women and curity] and whether they have strong the process. We need good and re- children, democracy, and moderate Islam. She is the political commitment toward Af- first female in the Afghan parliament to be elected sponsive governance with inclusive as Second Deputy Speaker. Also she used to lead the ghanistan’s transition to a just peace. parliament’s Women Affairs Commission. Koofi was capable institutions. It takes time to War in Afghanistan is not only an one of the few women who were part of a pan-Af- answer most of these questions. In ghan delegation that held rounds of dialogue with intra-Afghan problem. the Taliban representatives. my view unity among people and 3. Mullah Agha Jan Mutasim is the Taliban’s former 2) Whether regional countries- es- inclusiveness of the process are es- finance minister and chief auditor. He has been a pecially Pakistan, cooperate with close associate of the Taliban’s founder, Mullah Mu- sential elements. Though it is early hammad Omar. However, during post- Bonn recon- honesty. It is a fact that Pakistan is to evaluate the process, I would say ciliation efforts in Afghanistan, Mutasim positioned the biggest supporter of the Taliban himself as a back-channel negotiator between the that we have not