Senate chairman Fazel Hadi Muslimyar has said that the government must take advantage of the split within the Taliban especially as new factions continue to emerge within the group.
He said that the current power struggle within the group could help bring them back to the negotiating table.
While divergence within the group in some way complicates the peace process, many believe that this also offers an opportunity to government to act and get the Taliban to join the talks process.
Following Mullah Akhter Mansour’s appointment as successor to group’s longtime leader Mullah Omar, rival factions opposed to his appointment refused to endorse his leadership, an issue which has led to a splintering of the group.
Mansour’s appointment as successor to Omar led to the emergence of a rival faction under Mullah Mansour Dadullah and the two groups have fought several battles on various fronts across the country.
“This is an opportunity for the government of Afghanistan. However, the split among Taliban makes the peace process complicated. But it depends on the vigilance of government of Afghanistan on how to use the opportunity in the interest of the country,” Muslimyar said.
In a recent move, a new Taliban faction comprising about 600 fighters announced its existence in Paktika province under the leadership of Mullah Honar. There are also reports that another faction is expected to announce its emergence in Faryab province.
The emergence of these new factions among the Taliban will also impact the war as Pakistan pursues new games to undermine the Afghan peace process, say critics.
“The split within the Taliban creates more dissimilarities, this helps the government of Afghanistan to get the benefit of the opportunity more and more. But simultaneously with the peace efforts, the government of Afghanistan should also plan more inclusive programs for continuing the war,” civil society activist Ahmad Zaki said.
But as hopes grow for a renewed round of peace talks, it’s not yet known which faction, or how many, will join the peace talks process.http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/23883-senate-chief-urges-govt-to-take-advantage-of-taliban-split
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