DOHA, Qatar – After two months of struggle on deciding upon the procedural rule for Afghan peace talks, sources Monday morning confirmed a breakthrough that can potentially lead to a peace deal between the Afghan and Taliban negotiators in Qatari capital Doha.
According to sources, both sides of negotiating teams have agreed to include the US-Taliban deal, UN endorsements for Afghan peace process, commitments of the negotiating teams, and will of the Afghan people as the base for upcoming negotiations.
While Doha gives a heads-up on talks, sources said Afghan chief negotiator Mohammad Massoom Stanikzai and the presidential peace advisor Salam Rahimi are on a secret trip to Kabul, seeking President Ashraf Ghani’s approval on the said agreement.
However, the Islamic Republic and the Taliban negotiators in Doha are apparently tight-lipped, giving no comment or updates concerning the breakthrough.
This came days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrapped a meeting with the Afghan and Taliban negotiators in Doha Saturday. But sources did not comment whether Pompeo’s visit played any role in breaking the chains that has halted peace talks for months.
