Reconciliation Council Vows to Soon Finalize Its Members

The High Council for National Reconciliation on Wednesday reaffirmed its previous commitment to swiftly complete its members amidst criticism on the council to work more for peace.

Back in August, President Ghani in a decree appointed 46 members of the High Council for National Reconciliation, a move that was criticized by Abdullah as well as by a number of politicians whose names were on the list.

The council was aimed to provide guidance to the negotiation team through its leadership committee.

But critics said that a lack of progress on the structure of the peace council has been challenging and the issue instead has helped the Taliban to get an advantage in the diplomatic sphere.

“Work has been done on the leadership council of the body. The council’s leadership is expected to convene its first meeting in the next few days,” said Fraidoon Khwazoon, a spokesman for the council.

The Presidential Palace said there is no dispute among the political leaders about the appointment of council’s members.

“Progress has been made. We don’t have any disputed point there that could hinder the development,” presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told reporters on Wednesday.

Critics said the activities of the council should be expedited as the peace process has reached a critical stage.

“People have the right to criticize the matter,” said Mohammad Alam Ezedyar, a Senator.

“They must be accountable before the questions that exist within the people and the journalists. No institution is supposed to be excluded from access to information,” said legal expert Ainuddin Bahaduri.

Negotiators from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban are in Doha since September 12 where they are trying to reach an agreement on peace deal with the resurgent movement.

Sources this week reported a breakthrough in the talks and said both sides have agreed to include the US-Taliban agreement, UN endorsements for the Afghan peace process, commitments of the negotiating teams and the will of the Afghan people as the base for upcoming negotiations.

The Presidential Palace on Wednesday rejected any progress in peace negotiations between negotiators of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban and said the deadlock in the talks has not broken so far.