Afghans Want Ceasefire to Continue Beyond Eid

As a “goodwill gesture” the Afghan government has pledged to release up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners.

The announcement of the three-day ceasefire has raised hopes among Afghans who say it should continue in order to begin the intra-Afghan negotiations and move the peace process forward.

An Eid ceasefire was also called in June 2018.

People interviewed by TOLOnews said they are tired of war and they have cannot handle further conflict.

“We hope that the three-day ceasefire turns into a permanent ceasefire,” said Sayed Atif, a Kabul resident.

“We are in a hard situation. From one side we are plagued with the coronavirus crisis, and from the other we are faced with poverty,” said Zabihullah Malikzada, a Kabul resident.

As a goodwill gesture in response to the Taliban’s announcement, the Afghan government pledged to release up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners, and on Monday 200 Taliban detainees were released from Bagram prison, according to government officials.

“All Muslims around the world are tired of war, especially the suffering people of Afghanistan,” said a Kabul resident.

The ceasefire announcement was widely welcomed by Afghanistan’s allies.

The foreign ministers of Indonesia, Norway, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Germany in a joint statement on Sunday welcomed the move and said “the ceasefire is a positive step forward that gives cause for hope. The Afghan people deserve an end to violence as well as a dignified peace and stability.”

“We encourage the parties to take further steps in the days and weeks ahead in order to enter into, without delay, intra-Afghan negotiations aimed at securing a durable peace settlement that ends the conflict in Afghanistan,” the statement read.

Analysts said efforts should be made to make the ceasefire long-term.

“There is a fear that the ceasefire is just a short break for post-Eid conflicts,” said Abdullah Naji Nazari, a member of the Badakhshan Provincial Council.

“We hope that a permanent ceasefire is ensured around the country,” said Jalaluddin Shinwari, a former member of the Taliban.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a press conference today said "things to be done in Afghanistan are withdrawing of foreign troops in an appropriate and orderly manner (and) combating terrorism, securing external support."


“Three principles of peace and reconciliation process of Afghanistan: First, it should be Afghan-led. Second, it should prioritize peace. Third, the process should be broadly representative and inclusive to set the stage (to be) more inclusive,” he said.


“42 or 43 years of war cannot be solved in one or two months. Everyone has their say. There will be discussion and arguments on whether the ceasefire should continue and for how many months,” former vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum said at an event in Jawzjan this week.