Jordan – Afghanistan’s PM stresses Taliban’s need to renounce violence in order to join the political process (Exclusive Interview)

Dead Sea area – Western Amman – Jordan 08/04/2019

ARAB 24 conducted an exclusive interview with Afghanistan’s Chief Executive (Prime Minister), Abdullah Abdullah on the sidelines of the Davos conference that took place in the Dead Sea area, west of Amman, where the PM pointed out that all the Afghani parties need to sit together and hold talks in order to speak to the Taliban as a team, and be able to present the people’s unified position about peace, stressing that the vast majority of the Afghan people want peace but do not want the Taliban to rule the country, however, they do want them to join the political process, adding that if they give up violence and give up their links with terrorist groups and give international assurances, there could be a sort of an arrangement in which allows them to join the political process and hold elections as well. Abdullah also stated that the political leaders, government and non- government candidates, and the opposition formed a council to lead the reconciliation with the Taliban, which is scheduled to take place in Doha, noting that the Council’s first meeting was held yesterday in order to pick the representatives for the negotiations. As for the security situations in Afghanistan, Abdullah said that the citizens are practicing their lives normally, despite the occasional blasts and armed incidents that cause them to suffer, pointing out that the security situation and the narcotics issues are still constituting a security challenge. As for the Davos conference, Abdullah stressed how important this platform is, since it brings together many leaders from governments, private sector, civil society organizations and other different figures, stating that his country is waiting to see what could be offered to Afghanistan. He also praised King Abdullah of Jordan for his constant support to Afghanistan, and mentioned their recent meeting in which they talked about enhancing trade and boosting the cordial relations between Jordan and Afghanistan.