Qatar encourages Afghan leaders to reconcile on national goals and the Qatar foreign minister made his first high-level visit to Afghanistan in this regard after the US military exodus from the country. As Qatar has longed played a crucial role in fostering engagement between the Taliban and the US by bringing both parties to the negotiating table, Qatar’s presence and continued role to mediate between Afghan groups is much expected and awaited as Afghanistan stands at the edge of violence and uncertainty.
Pakistan has also appreciated Qatar’s role as neutral mediator and this respect both Pakistan and Qatar’s interest converge in the context of a peaceful and inclusive Afghan government which is conducive for the regions.
Qatar FM calls for national reconciliation among Afghan leaders
Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has visited Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul and met Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the acting Prime Minister in the Taliban’s new government.
He also met on Sunday with former President Hamid Karzai as well as Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the National Reconciliation Council as he encouraged Afghan parties and groups to engage in national reconciliation.
It is the highest-level visit by an official since the United States military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Al Thani met a number of officials in the new government, including the foreign minister and their deputy.
The officials discussed the current political situation and the efforts Qatar is currently making to support the Afghan people. He added that it is in interests of Afghanistan, its people and the region at large that the country that had been in throes of war for decades should finally see peace and prosperity along with economic development. He encouraged the Afghan groups to set aside their differences and think in unison for Afghan greater good.
Read more: Qatar and Turkey throwing lifeline to Taliban 2.0 regime
Qatar FM to exercise influence over Afghan leaders for Afghan betterment
Qatar is considered one of the countries with the most influence over the Taliban, which took control of Afghanistan last month as US troops were preparing to finally withdraw from the country after 20 years.
It played a pivotal role in the massive US-led airlift of its own citizens, other Western nationals and Afghans who helped Western countries.
It is also supporting tens of thousands of Afghans who were evacuated in the final weeks of the US-led occupation as they are processed before heading to other nations.
Afghan leaders to cooperate to earn international recognition
Foreign donors led by the US provided more than 75 percent of the public expenditure for the Afghan government that crumbled as the US withdrew its troops after 20 years in the country.
President Joe Biden’s administration has said it is open to donating humanitarian aid but says that any direct economic lifeline, including unfreezing central bank assets, will be contingent on Taliban actions including allowing safe passage to people to leave.
The International Monetary Fund has also blocked the Taliban from accessing some $440m in new emergency reserves.
“The Taliban seeks international legitimacy and support. Our message is simple: any legitimacy and support will have to be earned,” senior US diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis told the Security Council.
In the wake of plummeting Afghan economy where cash is drying up and states and international funding agencies pitching for conditional Afghan aid, Qatar encourages Afghan leaders to reconcile on national goals and earn the international legitimacy through inclusive power-sharing. Only then they can convince the world that they have changed and can then change the destiny of their nation.
Read more: Time for a Regional Economic Package for Afghanistan