Since August 2021, the Taliban have been the de facto rulers of Afghanistan after overthrowing the Western-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani. The Taliban’s seizure of Kabul was a result of the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces from Afghanistan. This has plunged the country into turmoil and a humanitarian crisis due to the Taliban’s refusal to form an inclusive government and the resulting sanctions imposed on them.
Despite facing sanctions and international isolation, the Taliban remain unyielding in their actions. As a result, the Afghan people continue to suffer, and peace in Afghanistan seems like a distant possibility. The international community, particularly the U.S. and recently the United Nations, bear significant responsibility for the current situation.
In February 2020, the U.S. under President Donald Trump’s administration signed the Doha Accord with the Taliban, sidelining the Ghani administration. The agreement included provisions for a ceasefire, prevention of Afghan soil use against U.S. and allies, foreign troops withdrawal, and intra-Afghan negotiations. However, the Taliban failed to honor their commitments after the withdrawal of foreign forces.
The Taliban did not observe a ceasefire and escalated violence post-agreement, carrying out numerous attacks. They obstructed intra-Afghan talks unless Ghani resigned and allowed groups like Al-Qaida to operate in Afghanistan. The killing of Al-Qaida’s leader in Kabul showed the Taliban’s disregard for their commitment to prevent terrorist groups using Afghan territory.
Four years later, both parties accuse each other of breaching the agreement, leaving the Afghan people to bear the brunt of the situation, yearning for lasting peace.
The Doha Accord neglected human rights, especially women’s rights to education. With 2.5 million people, including 80% of girls, out of school in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s ban on girls over 12 attending school deprives 1.1 million females of formal education. Their reluctance to reopen secondary schools for girls exacerbates the situation.
To pressure the Taliban, the U.S. and allies imposed sanctions, but the group remains unaffected, indirectly benefiting from U.S. aid to Afghanistan.
The United Nations’ attempt to engage the Taliban through the Doha Process met resistance from the group, demanding sole representation. Despite excluding other stakeholders, the U.N. persisted, risking reinforcing the Taliban’s power in Afghanistan.
The flawed negotiations underscore the failure to address crucial issues affecting Afghan women and civil society. The U.S. and global community’s singular focus on dealing with the Taliban undermines the quest for a comprehensive peace deal involving all groups.