Security

Intra-Afghan peace negotiations expected in days as prisoner release approved

AFP

Taliban prisoners are shown in the process of being potentially released from Pul-e-Charkhi prison on the outskirts of Kabul on July 31. [Wakil Kohsar/AFP]

Taliban prisoners are shown in the process of being potentially released from Pul-e-Charkhi prison on the outskirts of Kabul on July 31. [Wakil Kohsar/AFP]

KABUL -- Afghan peace talks are expected to begin within days after authorities announced Monday (August 10) they would soon start releasing hundreds of Taliban prisoners accused of brutal attacks.

The fate of some 400 Taliban prisoners has been a crucial hurdle in launching much-delayed talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, who had committed to completing a prisoner exchange before negotiations could start.

Thousands of prominent Afghans on Sunday (August 9) approved their release at the end of a three-day loya jirga.

"Our stance is clear, if the prisoner release is completed, then we are ready for the intra-Afghan talks within a week," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP.

Participants of a loya jirga in Kabul listen to President Ashraf Ghani as he speaks on the last day of the jirga. More than 3,000 Afghans, including more than 700 women, from across the country gathered in Kabul August 7-9 to approve the release of almost 400 Taliban prisoners. [Afghan Presidential Palace]

Participants of a loya jirga in Kabul listen to President Ashraf Ghani as he speaks on the last day of the jirga. More than 3,000 Afghans, including more than 700 women, from across the country gathered in Kabul August 7-9 to approve the release of almost 400 Taliban prisoners. [Afghan Presidential Palace]

The first round of talks will take place in Doha, Qatar, said Shaheen.

"The Afghan government will start releasing the 400 Taliban prisoners within two days," National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal told AFP August 10.

The prisoner exchange was a key part of a deal signed by the Taliban and the United States in February, which saw Washington agree to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in return for a pledge from the insurgents to hold peace talks with the Kabul government.

"A historic opportunity for peace is now possible," US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted.

Brutal attacks

The Afghan government already has released almost 5,000 Taliban inmates, but authorities had balked at freeing the final 400 prisoners demanded by the militants.

The prisoners are accused of serious offences including killing scores of Afghans and foreigners, with 44 insurgents of particular concern to the United States and other countries for their role in "high-profile" attacks.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had lobbied for a former Afghan army soldier, who went rogue and killed three Australian colleagues, to stay in jail.

The accused, who is among the 400 to be freed, has been in prison for seven years.

"Our position is that he should never be released. We do not believe that his release adds to peace in this region," Morrison said August 10.

The family of French aid worker Bettina Goislard, who was murdered in Afghanistan in 2003, said they would not accept the release of her killers, who are on the list.

"Such a decision to free [them] made on the basis of horse-trading would be, to us, her family, inconceivable," they told AFP.

In its final resolution, the jirga said it had approved releasing the militants "to remove the hurdles for the start of peace talks, stopping the bloodshed and for the good of the public".

The jirga urged the government to monitor the freed prisoners to ensure they did not return to the battlefield and demanded an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the country.

But the Taliban said the ceasefire should form part of the agenda during the negotiations with the Afghan government.

Not all those who attended the jirga favoured the release of militants.

Lawmaker Belquis Roshan, a prominent women's rights activist, had protested against their release on the first day of the jirga, unfurling a banner that read: "Redeeming Taliban is national treason."

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The consultative Loya Jirga made a very good decision. Congratulations to all the compatriots. May Allah make it happen as this work' meaning that the Jirga's decision turn to beginning of peace and provide situation for a permanent peace in the country.

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The consultative Loya Jirga did a very good job as they approved the release of Taliban prisoners. This is considered an important step towards peace in this country. May God bring a lasting peace in our country so that people can work to improve their living conditions and have a humane life.

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Members of the Loya Jirga made a very wise decision to have approved the release of the remaining Taliban prisoners. This leaves Taliban with no pretext for war, and they will prepare to start intra-Afghan talks. After this, Taliban will be responsible for the war if they continue it, because all the demands of Taliban were met, and the agreement of this group with the United States is also going forward successfully. From now on, if Taliban continue their war, I am sure that they will face the hatred of the Afghan people and maybe countries of the region will blame them for causing bloodshed in their country. People want the Arab countries, especially Qatar, to convince Taliban to declare a permanent ceasefire before the start of intra-Afghan talks.

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yes i am happy

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