Masoom Stanekzai, head of the peace negotiating team of Afghanistan’s former republican government, says the Taliban’s policies are pushing Afghanistan toward a “deeper crisis,” and that the next crisis could be more dangerous than those of the past.
Stanekzai said an atmosphere of mistrust toward Afghanistan has emerged at both the regional and international levels, while public dissatisfaction is also increasing. He stressed that such discontent cannot be resolved through “propaganda” alone.
According to him, unemployment, widespread poverty, and the Taliban government’s handling of people’s grievances are among the key drivers of public dissatisfaction. He warned that if the situation continues, any form of public reaction remains possible.
Stanekzai said that over the past five years, the Taliban have failed to establish the necessary balance between Afghanistan’s domestic and regional challenges and, in his view, are repeating some of the failed policies of previous governments.
He added that negotiations between the former government and the Taliban had presented an opportunity for a comprehensive political settlement. However, he said the Taliban could have paved the way for an agreement at the time by showing greater flexibility and accepting legitimate demands for peace.
Stanekzai warned that if the Taliban do not change their policies and fail to respect the rights of Afghans, particularly the rights of women and girls, any scenario regarding the country’s future remains possible.
His remarks come as the activities of armed groups opposed to the Taliban have increased in some provinces in recent months, while reports have also emerged of disagreements among local commanders within the Taliban.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
