In Afghanistan, the Loya Jirga, the Assembly of the national representatives. The expectations of the Meeting are high. However, whether members can meet, is considered to be doubtful.
On Monday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani opened the Loya Jirga, the Grand Assembly of the tribal elders. The focus of the meeting, the ongoing peace talks between the Taliban and the United States.
At the four-day Assembly 3200 trunk take part in the oldest, as well as community and religious leaders from all 34 Afghan provinces. Milad Sikanderi, spokesman for the Loya Jirga, said in an interview with DW, the participants included members of Parliament, representatives of civil society organisations, national media, and of Afghan refugee organizations. “Here the whole of Afghanistan is represented,” Sikanderi.
The Loya Jirga has only a consultative function. However, it is of great importance for the Afghan politics and society. Many consider it better than the Afghan Parliament or even the presidency. The Loya Jirga will take place only at exceptional occasions. The last meetings was convened in 2013. At that time, the members approved the so-called Bilateral security agreement (BSA) with Washington.
High expectations of the Assembly, as well as President Ashraf Ghani. His government played in the ongoing US-Taliban talks-so far a marginal role. The influential tribal elders in his country would strengthen its Position as a legitimate representative of Afghanistan in the peace talks, he said.
Also, many women take part in the Loya Jirga
The resistance of the Taliban
As uncertain the integration of the Taliban. They have so far refused to talk to Kabul. The Afghan government is a “US puppet”, they indicated. Previously, Washington had conducted several rounds of talks with the militant group. The aim of the talks to end The 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. Although the United States had declared that any peace agreement for Afghanistan would include the elected government of the country. Nevertheless, the impression prevails in the Afghan government, they will be marginalised in the talks.
The Taliban, in turn, also the Loya Jirga are critical, a the invitation of President Ghani to participate, they refused. In addition, they called on the population to boycott them. The Loya Jirga will be abused by the West-supported government to deceive the population and to expand their assessment of the Taliban’s illegitimate rule. “Don’t take on the conspiracy of the enemy, but find ways to push the faltering government in Kabul more in the Background,” asked the spokesman for the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, his countrymen in a statement.
Voices of the Opposition
Also, opposition politicians and government critics, including former President Hamid Karzai to boycott the Assembly. You accuse Ghani, to need this as a platform to strengthen in the current election year, his Status as a leader. Wahid Omar, a representative of President Ghani criticized, however, those politicians who decided against attending the Loya Jirga. “The Assembly gives the Afghans a voice, whose voice was never heard,” said Omar in an interview with DW.
Opponents of the Loya Jirga: the Taliban, here’s a shot of fighters from the year 2016
“Elected representatives from the provinces and villages to be advising the President, what is the path to peace, he should go in. Those who have boycotted the Loya Jirga, have missed the Chance to meet people from all over Afghanistan, and to hear their points of view,” says Omar.
Sima Samar, the head of the Afghan human rights Commission, called on the Boycott of the Loya Jirga, at least some of the recommendations for the peace process. Mohammad Hassam, residents of the Povinz Kandahar, is hoping the Jirga will help to create peace in Afghanistan. “In my opinion, a few political leaders, who did not participate in the Jirga will make no big difference,” he told DW.
What can reach Ghani?
To get out of the impasse, calling on the Afghan politicians for a transitional government, in the minds of some, the Taliban should be included. “The transitional government should pave the way to a transparent election to allow political groups, including the Taliban’s participation in the process,” tweeted Mohammed, an influential war veterans.
The Afghan government had offered the Taliban a political role, but was rejected. You want to replace the current Constitution with an Islamic. “The government of the Constitution of Kabul has no legitimacy. It was imported from the West and constitutes an obstacle to Peace,” said Shear, Mohammed Abbas Stanikzai, a member of the Taliban. Nevertheless, Ghani, seeks for September, scheduled presidential elections for a second term in office, is trying to expand the circle of his supporters.
Great appearance: the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the Loya Jirga
“He wants to prove that he is capable of, to conclude a Treaty of peace and the support of the Afghans enjoys,” said a anonymity insist of a Diplomat to the Reuters news Agency. “Ghani is concerned that the Opposition is using the refusal of the Taliban to cooperate with him, help him politically to undermine,” said the Diplomat.
Loya Jirga: risk for Ghani
The Afghanistan expert Huria Musadeq not to trust, however, the Loya Jirga to change the political situation dramatically. “The Assembly has no Executive and decision – making powers. That’s why I don’t think their decisions have significant influence on the pacification of Afghanistan,” said Musadeq in an interview with DW.
Of the United States neglected and the Taliban refused, it could be the Loya Jirga for Ghani, nevertheless, to the political lifeline. However, not all experts see it that way. Some are of the view that the Assembly could be for the government to risk. You decide against Ghani, this could mean the end of his presidency.