NATO calls on Taliban to demonstrate commitment to resolve conflict

NATO on Wednesday (February 12th) called on the Taliban to demonstrate their commitment to a settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan and to end the violence, in the aftermath of a deadly attack in Kabul.

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"The Taliban must demonstrate a willingness and a real capacity to reduce violence," asked Alliance secretary general Jens Stoltenberg in a statement before the start of a meeting of defense ministers from the Alliance.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced Tuesday evening that he had been informed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of " notable progress" made in the post-conflict negotiations between Washington and the Taliban. Jens Stoltenberg was cautious about the announcements before welcoming US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. " We would welcome any measure that could reduce violence," he said, urging the Taliban to "demonstrate their commitment to a peaceful settlement" to the conflict in Afghanistan. "The Taliban must sit at the negotiating table and must make real compromises," said Jens Stoltenberg.

Read also: Afghanistan: "notable progress" made between the Taliban and Washington for Ashraf Ghani

Five people were killed Tuesday morning in a suicide attack at the entrance to the military academy in Kabul. "We must prepare for everything, depending on the outcome of the negotiations," a diplomat told AFP. “We have the feeling that these negotiations are going in circles. Donald Trump needs to get something before the election and the Taliban know it, " he said.

NATO has retained a military mission in Afghanistan, Resolute support, which has 16,500 soldiers from 38 countries responsible for training and advising the Afghan security forces. “We went together to Afghanistan. We will make decisions together to adapt our mission and one day we will leave together, ” insisted Jens Stoltenberg. Many allies fear a unilateral decision by the Americans after Donald Trump's reaffirmation in early February of his desire to withdraw the American soldiers present in this country.