Afghan govt and Taliban talks as violence increases on ground

A senior delegation from the Afghan government and representatives of the Taliban met in Doha for high negotiations as violence in Afghanistan on the ground increases.

The two parties have been meeting for months on and off in the Qatari capital, but the talks have lost momentum as a series of battlefield gains by the armed group coincided with foreign forces completing their withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The government delegation consists of several dignitaries, including former CEO Abdullah Abdullah. Its reported purpose is to support the government’s negotiating team in terms of speeding up the scheduled talks.

“During his visit, Abdullah Abdullah will discuss important and important issues with Taliban representatives,” Afghan government delegation spokesman Fraidoon Kwazoon told Al Jazeera.

“The solution to the conflict in Afghanistan lies in negotiations, and peace can be achieved through dialogue,” he said.

Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem, for his part, said the group had “repeatedly reaffirmed its readiness for dialogue and negotiations”, adding that the problems “could only be resolved through dialogue”.

“But the Afghan government must also show the same commitment,” Naeem said.

“They must show the right and sincere determination when it comes to negotiations to end these problems.”