The United States and the Taliban have signed a landmark agreement aimed at ending more than 18 years of conflict in Afghanistan. The deal, signed in Doha, Qatar, paves the way for a full withdrawal of US and Nato troops within 14 months, provided the militants uphold their commitments.
Under the agreement, the Taliban have pledged not to allow al-Qaeda or other extremist groups to operate in areas under their control. The US and its allies will reduce troop numbers to 8,600 within the first 135 days, with a complete withdrawal to follow if conditions are met. President Donald Trump said it was 'time after all these years to bring our people back home'.
The deal also includes a prisoner swap, with up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners and 1,000 Afghan security force detainees to be exchanged by 10 March, when intra-Afghan negotiations are due to begin. The US has agreed to lift sanctions against the Taliban and work with the UN to remove its separate sanctions.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Taliban to 'keep your promises to cut ties with al-Qaeda'. Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar expressed hope that Afghanistan could emerge from decades of conflict and embark on a 'new prosperous life' under an Islamic regime.
However, the Afghan government, which was not party to the talks, expressed caution. President Ashraf Ghani said the country was 'looking forward to a full ceasefire' and ready to negotiate with the Taliban. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper described the moment as 'hopeful' but warned that 'the road ahead will not be easy'.
Human rights activists voiced concerns, particularly over women's rights. Zahra Husseini, a 28-year-old activist in Kabul, told AFP: 'I don't trust the Taliban... Today is a dark day.' The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of sustaining the reduction in violence for the benefit of all Afghans.
