The three-day ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr was welcomed by some of the international community and international organizations.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the US especial envoy on Afghanistan reconciliation urged both the laterals to take further steps to bring peace.
“This is a momentous opportunity that should not be missed. The US will do its part to help,” Khalilzad said.
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General said that both the laterals should use the opportunity to bring peace in Afghanistan.
The European Union in Afghanistan also welcomed the ceasefire and stated that the laterals should use the opportunity to put an end to the violence.
“Welcome the announcement of a reciprocal EID ceasefire by the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban. We urge the parties to the conflict to seize this opportunity to bring an end to the violence with a permanent ceasefire and to start intra-Afghan negotiations without delay,” EU in Afghanistan said in a tweet.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the announcement by the Taliban and the Afghan government of a ceasefire.
The UN Chief’s spokesman said in a statement that the UN Secretary-General has urged all parties concerned to seize this opportunity and embrace an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
The US Chargé d’Affaires in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson also said that the opportunity should be seized to advance the peace process.
“Let us seize this opportunity to advance the peace process forward by taking further reciprocal steps and move to negotiations. Wouldn’t it be a true miracle if the fighting never resumed?,” Wilson said.
In the meantime, Qatar, Germany, Indonesia, Norway and Uzbekistan have announced that they “warmly welcome” the announcement by the Afghan government and the Taliban of a ceasefire during the blessed Eid al-Fitr.
In a joint statement, the five countries said the ceasefire is a positive step forward that gives cause for hope. The Afghan people deserve an end to violence as well as a dignified peace and stability, the statement noed.
Meanwhile, India has joined the Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries in welcoming a three-day ceasefire in Afghanistan, saying it hopes the truce will be further extended in order to address the humanitarian situation in the war-torn country.
Pakistan has also welcomed the announcement of ceasefire by Afghan government and the Taliban on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while talking to media persons in Multan said this is golden opportunity for regional peace.
He also wished the durability of the agreement so that people of Afghan could decide their future through intra-Afghan negotiations.
This comes as the Taliban on Saturday night announced a three-day Eid ceasefire with the Afghan government and instructed its fighters across the country to refrain from entering government areas and also said that Kabul forces were not allowed to enter territories under the group’s control.
An Eid ceasefire was called for by the Taliban also in June 2018.
President Ashraf Ghani also reciprocated with a similar announcement asking the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) to act only if attacked.
