Will Near-Record Violence Risk Derailing Imminent Talks Between The Afghan Government And The Taliban?

“After four decades of war, the people of #Afghanistan have more reason than ever to hope that this devastating conflict may come to an end,” UN envoy @DeborahLyonsUN tells Security Council. More: https://t.co/N3lhm8supy pic.twitter.com/0JTnVDPaLu

— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) September 3, 2020

UN News: Afghanistan: Near-record violence risks derailing imminent talks between Government and Taliban

The UN’s top official in Afghanistan has warned that with the formal launch of direct peace negotiations imminent, near-record violence in the country is creating an atmosphere of mistrust that risks derailing long-sought talks between the Government and the Taliban.

“The stakes could not be higher”, said Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), describing the intra-Afghan talks as a historic moment in the country’s history, as she briefed the Security Council on Thursday.

The conflict, which has raged for four decades, continues to kill hundreds of people each week and has displaced millions over the years – most of whom have no prospects of return.

With the negotiations, hosted by Qatar, set to launch, she exhorted parties to place a humanitarian ceasefire atop the agenda, and pressed all countries to amplify this call as the talks begin.

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Update #1: Taliban team returns to Doha for intra-Afghan peace talks (Al Jazeera)
Update #2: Khalilzad Departs For Qatar, As Afghan Government, Taliban Express Readiness For Talks (RFE)

WNU Editor: The Taliban leadership have appointed one of their hardliners to lead the talks .... Taliban Name Cleric as Chief Negotiator for Afghan Peace Talks (VOA). These type of people who use religion to justify their actions do not compromise.

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/2ZdpXSm