In a surprising move, the Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire on twitter starting Sunday. In response, the country's president said the government would reciprocate.The ceasefire comes at a time when fighting between the two sides had escalated despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, tweeted: "Do not carry out any offensive operations against the enemy anywhere, if any action is taken against you by the enemy, defend yourself".He stated that the ceasefire was declared solely for Eid festivities marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The Afghani President welcomed the ceasefire and extended an olive branch to the hardline group. "As Commander-in-Chief I have instructed the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked," he said in a tweet.
In a statement from the UN Secretary-General urged all parties concerned to seize this opportunity and embrace an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. He added, “Only a peace settlement can bring an end to the suffering in Afghanistan. The United Nations is committed to supporting the people and Government of Afghanistan in this important endeavor”. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), also welcomed the move, saying on Twitter that “the Afghan people deserve a respite from violence. The UN urges parties to respect the halt to fighting and urgently look to make it permanent. Intra-Afghan peace negotiations need to start.”
Also, the Afghan government announced on Tuesday the release of 900 more Taliban prisoners. It was a goodwill gesture aimed at convincing the insurgent group to extend the three-day truce, which has quelled all major violence across the country.
To read more, please visit:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/05/1064852
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taliban-prisoners-freed-afghanistan-ceasefire-hopes/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taliban-afghan-president-declare-three-day-eid-ceasefire-n1213841
Author: Abbiba Ivy Princewill
