Neighbors’ cooperation key to sustainable peace: Mohib

KABUL, but peace and tranquility do, terming ceasefire a catalyst for sustainable peace.

Addressing the Raisina Dialog forum in New Delhi, the Afghan NSA said the Afghan people earnestly wanted peace and it would prove to them and the Afghan government that their enemies were not only serious about peace, but it was within their control to maintain their part of a future deal.

“As our efforts toward peace gain momentum, we must have the cooperation and support of our neighbors and partners for peace to be sustainable. In these trying times for the global community, Afghanistan offers the rare opportunity for shared action,” he said.

Mohib said Afghanistan’s quest for peace was beneficial to the region and the world because as a frontline state in the war on terror, Afghanistan’s success produces a global common good. “This is both a starting point for cooperation and a common platform to unite around.”

The NSA said there should be no confusion about one thing: “In the same way that there is an open heart for peace, there is a steely resolve against violence. There is no victory for violence and terrorism. The Afghan nation stands resolutely against it.

“The Afghan security forces have demonstrated this resolve. They are now better prepared than ever to take on our adversary. The world witnessed how our forces secured the presidential election, creating the enabling conditions so that the Afghan people could once again reinstate their belief in our republic and democracy,” he said.

Mohib told the forum that after a successful electoral process, Afghan independent electoral bodies finished tallying the votes, announced preliminary results, and were now addressing reports of irregularities in line with the process laid out by the electoral law.

He said the Afghan forces carried out successful operations across the country over the last few months, beating back the enemies and clearing territory long under their reign of terror.

The forces cleared eight districts from enemy control, taking the fight to the enemies and reversing a situation where the Taliban had military momentum, said Mohib.

He said the Afghan people and government stood ready to engage in peace talks. “But if you refuse to answer this call, prepare to face the full force of the Afghan nation.”

“In the midst of conflict, and all of these competing priorities, we have also focused heavily on economic development, particularly via regional platforms that for decades were not utilized,” he said. 

The NSA added parallel to peace efforts, Afghanistan was gradually transforming into a regional hub for cooperation, connectivity and development.

“As per President Ghani’s vision, we are transforming Afghanistan from a land-locked country to a land bridge country, a crossroads of regional trade and connectivity,” he said.

nh/ma

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