The Taliban government wants to use a round of diplomatic talks with Western countries in the coming days to help change “the warlike atmosphere” that prevails in Afghanistan, a spokesman for the group said on Saturday.
“The Islamic Emirate [nome dado ao regime] has taken steps to meet the demands of the Western world and we hope to strengthen our diplomatic relations with all countries, including European countries,” Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP news agency.
According to him, the Taliban, in power since August after the chaotic withdrawal of troops from the American-led coalition, want to “replace the climate of war […] for a peaceful situation”.
The fundamentalist group’s promise of moderation, which comes since the resumption of power, contrasts, however, with the reality seen in the Afghan daily life. This Friday (21), for example, men linked to the group staged a demonstration in Kabul against an act for women’s rights that took place days before. The feminist protest was dispersed with pepper spray, and two activists were reportedly detained during the week.
Also on Friday, Taliban religious police threatened to shoot women working for NGOs in a northwestern province of the country if they do not wear a burqa.
In recent months, the fundamentalist group has resumed medieval practices from when it first ruled the country, between 1996 and 2001, such as persecution of opponents, restrictions on study and work for women and public executions of those accused of crimes.
So far, no country has formally recognized the Taliban regime. Negotiations between the group and Western diplomats will begin in Oslo, Norway, this Sunday (23). The delegation will meet with Norwegian authorities and with representatives of the European Union and countries such as the United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.
Talks should focus on respect for human rights, especially those of women — a condition imposed for a possible restoration of international aid that financed 80% of Afghanistan’s budget, which is plunged into a humanitarian crisis.
The round of talks is expected to last until Tuesday, but “does not constitute legitimation or recognition of the Taliban,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt insisted on Friday. “However, we have to speak with the authorities who actually govern the country. We cannot let the political situation lead to an even greater humanitarian disaster.”
On Thursday, the European bloc said it intended to re-establish a “minimum presence” in Kabul to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid – but stressed that the move also did not signify recognition of the regime.
Since August, international aid has stopped, and the US has frozen $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank assets. Unemployment has soared, and civil servants’ salaries have not been paid for months — in a country already ravaged by a severe drought. According to the United Nations, hunger already threatens 23 million Afghans, 55% of the population.
The Taliban delegation going to Europe is made up of 15 representatives, all men, and led by the
Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi.
The round of negotiations was condemned by the National Resistance Front (FNR), an opposition group that continues to resist Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan. Negotiations can “normalize a terrorist group and make it a representative of Afghanistan,” said Ali Maisam Nazary, an FNR delegate.
The Taliban already held meetings with Western officials in Doha in October.
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