The Taliban Agreement 2019: What You Need to Know
In February 2019, the United States and the Taliban signed a peace agreement, aimed at ending the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan. The agreement, known as the Doha Agreement or the Afghanistan Peace Agreement, lays out a framework for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the start of a political dialogue between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
Here`s what you need to know about the Taliban Agreement 2019:
1. The agreement was signed in Doha, Qatar
The Doha Agreement was signed on February 29, 2019, in Doha, Qatar. The agreement was signed by the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban chief negotiator Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
2. The agreement aims to end the war in Afghanistan
The agreement outlines a four-step plan for ending the war in Afghanistan. The first step is a reduction in violence, which was achieved through a seven-day ceasefire in February 2020. The second step is the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Afghanistan, which is scheduled to take place by May 1, 2021. The third step is the start of intra-Afghan negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government. The final step is a permanent ceasefire.
3. The agreement includes guarantees from the Taliban
The Doha Agreement includes a number of guarantees from the Taliban, including a commitment to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a base for terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies. The Taliban also committed to engage in talks with the Afghan government to find a political solution to the conflict.
4. The agreement is controversial
The Doha Agreement has been criticized by some for its perceived weakness on human rights issues and its failure to secure a commitment from the Taliban to end its violent attacks in Afghanistan. Others have raised concerns about the impact of the U.S. troop withdrawal on the security situation in Afghanistan.
Despite these criticisms, the Taliban Agreement 2019 is a significant step towards ending the war in Afghanistan. The success of the agreement will depend on the commitment of both sides to its implementation.