US, UN welcome Afghan govt ceasefire

The US and the UN welcomed the announcement by the Afghan government of a conditional ceasefire for the upcoming Eid festival, expressing hope that the step will move the country closer to sustainable security and put an end to violence.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said the last ceasefire in Afghanistan revealed the deep desire of the Afghan people to end the conflict, and "we hope another ceasefire will move the country closer to sustainable security".

"The United States welcomes the announcement by the Afghan government of a ceasefire conditioned on Taliban participation. This plan responds to the clear and continued call of the Afghan people for peace," Pompeo said in a statement.

"The United States and our international partners support this initiative by the Afghan people and the Afghan government, and we call on the Taliban to participate. It is our hope, and that of the international community, that the Afghan people may celebrate Eid al-Adha this year in peace, free from fear, he said.

He said Washington supports President Ashraf Ghani's offer for comprehensive negotiations on a mutually agreed agenda. We remain ready to support, facilitate, and participate in direct negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. There are no obstacles to talks. It is time for peace, he said.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also welcomed the announcement of the conditional ceasefire and called on the parties to the conflict to seize this opportunity to put an end to violence.

"A mutual ceasefire would further the prospects for talks to take place between the parties to the conflict to find a political settlement," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan.

"It is important to seize all opportunities for a negotiated end to the conflict so that all Afghans can enjoy the life of peace they so desperately want and need," he said.

The past months, with both the previous ceasefire which saved hundreds of lives and numerous citizen mobilisations for peace, have shown that Afghans strongly desire an end to the conflict.

This momentum must be upheld and the strong popular desire for peace must not be betrayed. The UN reiterates that it stands ready to play any role requested by the parties to the conflict to achieve a negotiated peace, he said.

Ghani announced a three-month ceasefire with the Taliban beginning today, the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday, provided that the Taliban militant group abides by it. The ceasefire would end on November 19.