Kabulis pin hope on Afghan-led, owned peace process

KABUL-led and owned peace talks could succeed through an inclusive negotiating delegation.

The survey was conducted by Rawand-i-Se Afghanistan in three months in Kabul, interviewing around 1,000 individuals, including university teachers, students, government employees and workers.

Forty-nine percent of the survey participants believed peace talks without the leadership of the Afghan government might not yield any results, while 27 percent believed it would produce some outcome but 24 percent said it would have ‘a positive outcome.’

Regarding the composition and formation of the delegation for peace talks with the insurgents 61 percent demanded the formation of a mixed delegation of government, political parties and civil society, 32 percent demanded a government delegation and 16 percent called for a state delegation.

Sixty-two percent participants demanded the conduct of the presidential election on schedule, 18 percent wished the continuation of the National Unity Government while 18 percent demanded the creation of an interim government until peace talks between the government and the Taliban reach a logical conclusion.

While sharing their views regarding an end to the violence after a peace agreement, seven percent of those surveyed said there would be a 100 percent decline in violence, 27 said 70 percent, 50 percent said there would be a 22 percent decline and 30 percent said 13 percent.

While 10 percent of the participants believed fighting may recede after a peace agreement but eight percent believed there is no hope of a decline in violence even after the peace agreement.

Shah Aqa Hemmat, head of the Rawand-i-Se Afghanistan, said the purpose behind the survey was to find out better solutions for peace and stability in the country.

He added the result of the survey would be shared with the government, national and international organisations.

nh/ma

Views: 5