Afghan Taliban rejects ceasefire during Ramazan

Afghan Taliban rejects ceasefire during Ramazan.

They  turned down calls for a cease-fire in Afghanistan during holy month of Ramazan.

A Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said this in a tweet.

Afghan Taliban rejects ceasefire

He argued that its agreement with the United States outlines an internationally endorsed comprehensive framework on how to promote Afghan peace.

Suhail Shaheen said that a time when lives of thousands of Taliban prisoners remain in danger due to the coronavirus.

He also cited hurdles being created in the way of the peace process.

Hence he said asking for cease-fire is not rational and convincing.

However, VOA report noted the agreement for a phased withdrawal of U.S. and coalition troops from Afghanistan calls for the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners from Afghan jails in exchange for 1,000 government security forces which the latter hold.

It reported that the U.N. Security Council had endorsed the U.S.-Taliban deal that required the prisoner swap conclusion by March 10.

Notably it supposed Taliban and Afghan teams to open direct peace talks to negotiate a sustainable cease-fire and power-sharing arrangement.

But even after more than a month delay, it seems both sides stay away from shouldering their part of responsibilities.

GTV