JOE BIDEN ADMIN TO REVIEW US-TALIBAN PEACE DEAL

Sat 23 January 2021:

The US administration of President Joe Biden intends to review a deal between Washington and the Taliban made last February, according to Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday.

There are currently only 2,500 US troops left in the country – the lowest number since the conflict began almost 20 years ago.

The White House wanted to make sure the Afghan militant group was “living up to its commitments”, including reducing violence and cutting ties with terrorists, a spokeswoman said.

Sullivan spoke with his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib on the telephone where the two officials discussed the US-Afghan partnership and peace in the Asian country, said a statement by National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne.

The US will back the peace process to help the Afghans and the Taliban “achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire,” Sullivan said during the conversation.

“Mr. Sullivan also made clear the United States’ intention to review the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement, including to assess whether the Taliban was living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders,” said the statement.

The deal signed in February 2020 said that the US and its Nato allies would withdraw all troops in 14 months if the Taliban upheld its promises, including not allowing al-Qaeda or other militants to operate in areas it controlled, and proceeding with national peace talks.

In addition, the two officials discussed US support for protecting the extraordinary gains made by Afghan women, girls and minority groups as part of the peace process.

“Mr. Sullivan committed to consulting closely with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO allies, and regional partners regarding a collective strategy to support a stable, sovereign, and secure future for Afghanistan,” the statement added.