Afghan govt offers to share power with Taliban as major cities fall
The Afghanistan government has made a power-sharing proposal to the Taliban in exchange for a halt in the escalating violence in the country, a top government source has told Al Jazeera.
The development, which was also reported in Afghanistan’s local media on Thursday, came as the armed group captures more provincial capitals.
The source told Al Jazeera that the offer was presented to the Taliban indirectly through Qatar, which hosts the Taliban’s political office and the continuing Afghan peace talks.
However, the presidential palace in Kabul did not confirm the development, saying there has been no change in its plan while the peace talks are being held in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
On Thursday, Abdullah said the government’s peace plan has been shared with the Qatari government, without referring to the reported offer to the Taliban.
“We have presented our scheme to the host nation and you will also be provided with one,” Abdullah said at Thursday’s gathering with foreign diplomats.
Last month, the Taliban said it would release its peace plan sometime in August, but the armed group has yet to announce it.
The Taliban have seized the provincial capitals, Qalat, Terenkot, Pul-e-Alam, Feruz Koh, Qal-e-Naw and Lashkar Gah, hours after capturing Herat and Kandahar cities.
It so far has control over 18 provincial capitals across Afghanistan.
Source: Al-Jazeera
