OIC calls for violence reduction, ceasefire in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Kabul has hailed the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) pledge to stand by the people and government of Afghanistan with its resolutions on the situation in the country.

The Islamic block slammed the crimes of Daesh while welcoming regional initiatives in support of Afghanistan, adopted during the 47th meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the 27th and 28th of November in the Niamey.

In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the OIC called on ulema and religious institutions across member states to declare the war against the Muslim state and people of Afghanistan illegitimate and call for support for peace talks.

Reflecting collective support of Islamic states, the resolutions explicitly welcomed the start of the Afghan peace talks and commended Kabul’s goodwill gesture of releasing the Taliban prisoners.

Condemning recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, particularly those targeting civilians in Bamyan, Kabul University, Kosar training centre and the maternity hospital, the OIC called on the Taliban to reduce violence and agree to an immediate ceasefire.

As an institution, the OIC reiterated its full support and commitment to the Afghan peace talks and asked the international community to do the same.

It specifically asked states to support an Afghan-owned inclusive peace processto reach a political solution based on the renunciation of violence, cutting ties with terrorist groups, preservation of Afghanistan’s democratic, political and socio-economic and development achievements of the past 19 years and respect of the Afghan constitution.

The OIC restated its support to the Afghan government in its efforts to bring peace, both through talks and via the work of the Afghan forces.

The OIC welcomed the successful renewal of the partnership between the international community and Afghanistan through the 2020 Afghanistan Conference in Geneva, especially in ensuring economic and social development in the country.

The OIC and its member states documented their support for various regional economic and infrastructure initiatives seeking to enhance corporation between Afghanistan and its neighbours.

These include the trans-Afghanistan railway project, TAPI project and CASA 1000 regional power project.

Kabul, meanwhile, appreciated the OIC resolutions, reflecting the collective Islamic community’s viewpoint.

The Afghan government said it was looking forward to working closely with the OIC and its member states for the contents of these resolutions to be put in practice.

pr/mud

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