Washington — Four years after the signing of the Doha agreement, the U.S. and Taliban are at odds, accusing each other of violating its terms. Meanwhile, analysts are pointing out that the agreement was deeply flawed and has had disastrous consequences for the people of Afghanistan.
The Doha agreement, signed on February 29, 2020, was meant to pave the way for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. It was hailed as a historic step towards peace and stability in the war-torn country. However, the recent events in Afghanistan have shown that the agreement was not as successful as initially thought.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, in a news briefing on Wednesday, stated that the Taliban have not fulfilled their commitments in the Doha agreement. She specifically mentioned the Taliban’s failure to engage in meaningful dialogue with fellow Afghans and form an inclusive government, as promised in the agreement.
The Taliban, on the other hand, have accused the U.S. of violating the agreement. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated in an interview with state-run TV in Afghanistan that the U.S. has not normalized its relations with the future government in Afghanistan, removed sanctions and restrictions, or cooperated as promised in the agreement.
Retired U.S. General David Petraeus, who served as the commander of U.S. forces in South Asia and then as director of the CIA, has also pointed out that the Taliban have not complied with the deal. He stated that the presence of al-Qaida leader, who was found in a building controlled by the Taliban in Kabul, is evidence of the Taliban’s failure to keep their promise of not allowing terrorist groups to operate in Afghanistan.
The consequences of the flawed implementation of the Doha agreement have been disastrous for the people of Afghanistan. The country is facing multiple crises, including a humanitarian crisis, as stated by the United Nations. The Taliban’s takeover has also led to the imposition of repressive measures on women, such as barring them from attending high schools and universities, traveling without a male companion, and working with public and non-governmental organizations.
Shukria Barakzai, a former Afghan diplomat and member of the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of the Afghan parliament, has described the Doha agreement as “disastrous for Afghan women.” She pointed out that the agreement did not mention anything about human rights, women’s rights, or the progress made by women in the past two decades. This has allowed the Taliban to reintroduce their oppressive rules against women, which were in place during their previous regime in the late 1990s.
The international community has repeatedly called on the Taliban to respect women’s rights and form an inclusive government as conditions for their recognition. However, no country has yet officially recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, except for China, which has accepted the credentials of the Taliban’s ambassador in Beijing.
Annie Pforzheimer, a former U.S. acting deputy assistant secretary of state for Afghanistan, has also criticized the Doha agreement, stating that there should have been some kind of international guarantee to prevent the Taliban’s return. She also expressed concern about the future of Afghanistan, especially for girls and women who are now being denied education and a future under the Taliban’s rule.
Pforzheimer also highlighted the flawed implementation of the agreement, stating that the only party that complied with it was the international forces. The U.S. withdrew its troops and pressured NATO to do the same, leaving Afghanistan vulnerable to the Taliban’s takeover.
Despite the current situation, there is still hope for Afghanistan. The Afghan people, who outnumber the Taliban, can work together to bring about positive change in their country. Noshaba Ashna of the VOA Afghan Service believes that Afghans can overcome this difficult time and create a better future for themselves.
In conclusion, the Doha agreement has not brought the peace and stability that was promised. Instead, it has led to disastrous outcomes for the people of Afghanistan, especially for women and girls. The international community must continue to hold the Taliban accountable for their actions and support the Afghan people in their efforts to build a better future for their country.
