Speaking at the Word Economic Forum (WEF) 2020 on Wednesday, January 22, President Ghani said that Taliban fighters are sick of fighting while the people sitting in Doha – negotiators of the militant group – marry their fourth or fifth wives, enjoying themselves.
He stressed that if the Taliban are ready to put an end to violence, Afghan society is ready to receive them. “But if they see peace as a tool and horse to overthrow the government and the society, then the society and the government would mobilize,” he warned.
Reacting to his remarks, the Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, described Ghani’s remarks as “irresponsible and ignorant,” adding that they will continue their political and military struggle until establishment of “Islamic governance”. “He made baseless accusations against IEA Political Office officials,” Mujahid said in regard to remarks made by Ghani during the live broadcast session.
President Ghani has also met US President Donal Trump at the sideline of the WEF in Davos. “Both leaders talked about the situation in Afghanistan, peace and security, and regional issues,” said Sediqi Sediqi, Ghani’s spokesperson who is accompanying him on the visit to Davos, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the White House said in a statement that Trump reiterated the need for “significant and lasting reduction in violence by the Taliban” that would facilitate meaningful negotiations on Afghanistan’s future.
In response to recent criticisms made by former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and Chief Executive Abdullah, Ghani went on said, “either of the gentlemen do not have any plan.”
“I ran a platform and I have a program. What is the program of President Karzai and Doctor Abdullah,” he asked, adding that either of the two Afghan political figures have not produced even a piece of paper for the future of Afghanistan.
