Parties to Afghanistan talks in Russia admit lack of progress
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On Friday, participants in the international Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan acknowledged the lack of progress in building a truly inclusive Afghan administration.
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Since April 2017, Russia has hosted Afghan reconciliation meetings in what is known as the Moscow format. (Sputnik)
On Friday, participants in the international Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan acknowledged the lack of progress in building a truly inclusive Afghan administration.
According to the joint declaration published by the Russian Foreign Ministry, "[The participants] regretfully stated that there had been no progress in forming a truly inclusive government in Afghanistan, reflecting the interests of all ethno-political groups of the country."
Despite the fact that the Kabul administration has multiple members from diverse ethnic groups, real diversity is not apparent in the government, according to the proclamation. The attendees urged the Taliban to engage in talks with "alternative ethno-political groups" in order to achieve long-term peace and construct an inclusive administration.
The declaration detailed that Afghan authorities were urged to give the necessary conditions "to improve the welfare of the Afghan people, prevent their further migration and provide conditions for the return of the refugees."
Since April 2017, Russia has hosted Afghan reconciliation meetings in what is known as the Moscow format, which includes delegates from Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Kazan is currently holding the sixth such conference according to a previous announcement by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
A Taliban team led by acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi represents Afghanistan.
The international community continues to grapple with how, and if, to engage with the Taliban authorities, with restrictions on women's rights -- such as the right to education and work -- a key obstacle in negotiations over aid and recognition.
In late June, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada claimed that the movement is allegedly working to improve the status of women in the country through "concrete measures" and that they have begun to be considered "free and dignified" human beings.
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan caused mayhem in the entire country, as the US officially withdrew in August of 2021 after 20 years of occupation.
Although the Taliban government is not internationally recognized, Russia and China are convening with representatives of the Taliban in order to restore the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The UN estimates that ISIS attacks have resulted in approximately 700 deaths since the US withdrawal in August 2021.
After the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the US-backed government was dissolved, leaving behind over $7 billion in central bank assets frozen by the US Federal Reserve Bank in New York.
US President Joe Biden later signed an executive order to freeze the $7 billion, claiming that the funds would be used for humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan and compensating American victims of terrorism, including 9/11 families. It is noteworthy that none of the 9/11 hijackers were Afghan.
