The Commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan Gen. John Nicholson encouraged the Taliban group to join peace process as Afghanistan marked the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Thursday.
In a video message published on the occasion of Holy Ramadan, Gen. Nicholson encouraged Taliban forces to accept the Afghan government’s offer and the Afghan people’s demands for peace.
He also highlighted the bravery of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, who continue to fight for stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani had earlier also urged the Taliban group and other militants to respect the Holy Month of Ramadan and refrain from violence.
In a video message released on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan, President Ghani said he expects that the Taliban and other armed militants do not spread chaos and instability for the worshippers during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Tadamachi Yamamoto also urged the militants to halt fighting.
“I sincerely hope that the observation of Ramadan will provide an opportunity for all communities in Afghanistan to come closer to each other and build bridges peacefully. In the same spirit, I would like to call parties to the conflict to respect this religious obligation and halt the fighting,” Tadamachi said in a statement.
He also added that the United Nations in Afghanistan remains committed to stand with the people of Afghanistan in their quest for a peaceful, united and prosperous Afghanistan.
