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Afghan Peace Institutions Called Ineffective, 'Symbolic'

Coinciding with the government's decision to convene a consultative Loya Jirga regarding the release of the remaining Taliban prisoners, the related institutions in the peace process have come under criticism for their performance.

Political figures and citizens of the country, are calling the High Peace Council, the High Council for National Reconciliation and the Ministry of Peace "symbolic," as they say these three institutions have done nothing effective to achieve peace in the country.

The criticism is raised as Kabul will host a Loya Jirga in the coming two days to discuss how to release 400 Taliban prisoners.

The presidential palace says that members of the past consultative Loya Jirga, which had about 3,200 participants with 51 committees, will be present.

“This is the continuation of the First Peace Consultative Jirga. The members who were present in the first Jirga have been re-invited and work is properly underway. The secretariat and working committees are also clear and will proceed with the same former committees,” said Sediq Sediqqi, Presidential spokesman.

Some politicians say the people are optimistic about the establishment of the High Council for National Reconciliation, but according to other politicians, this institution has not been able to fill its membership even after two months.

“These institutions could not and will not do anything in the future. In addition to talks with the Taliban, the president has appointed a 21-member team,” said Amin Waqad, a former member of the high peace council.

“Unfortunately, these institutions were created specifically to bring peace; They move slow and are not agile. The president has won everything, both peace and executive power, and one does not know what is going on,” said Ahmad Sayedi, political analyst.

Residents also blame the peace institutions for inefficiency in the peace process.

“These institutions built for peace are just symbolic. We want peace, not war,” said Romal, a resident of Kabul.

“The expectations that Afghans had from those institutions have not yet been met and they don’t have any achievements,” said Rafi, another resident of Kabul.

But the Presidential Palace says all three institutions are working for peace.

“There are no divisions or differences, but peace efforts are carried out under the umbrella of the government leadership,” said Sediqqi.

“The main responsibility for the peace process lies with the High Council for National Reconciliation, and you know that peace needs a fundamental debate, and we consulted with the people,” said Fraidoon Khwazoon, spokesman for the High Council for National Reconciliation.

The Loya Jirga is expected to last three to five days.

Afghan Peace Institutions Called Ineffective, 'Symbolic'

The criticism is raised as Kabul will host a Loya Jirga in the coming two days to discuss how to release 400 Taliban prisoners.

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Coinciding with the government's decision to convene a consultative Loya Jirga regarding the release of the remaining Taliban prisoners, the related institutions in the peace process have come under criticism for their performance.

Political figures and citizens of the country, are calling the High Peace Council, the High Council for National Reconciliation and the Ministry of Peace "symbolic," as they say these three institutions have done nothing effective to achieve peace in the country.

The criticism is raised as Kabul will host a Loya Jirga in the coming two days to discuss how to release 400 Taliban prisoners.

The presidential palace says that members of the past consultative Loya Jirga, which had about 3,200 participants with 51 committees, will be present.

“This is the continuation of the First Peace Consultative Jirga. The members who were present in the first Jirga have been re-invited and work is properly underway. The secretariat and working committees are also clear and will proceed with the same former committees,” said Sediq Sediqqi, Presidential spokesman.

Some politicians say the people are optimistic about the establishment of the High Council for National Reconciliation, but according to other politicians, this institution has not been able to fill its membership even after two months.

“These institutions could not and will not do anything in the future. In addition to talks with the Taliban, the president has appointed a 21-member team,” said Amin Waqad, a former member of the high peace council.

“Unfortunately, these institutions were created specifically to bring peace; They move slow and are not agile. The president has won everything, both peace and executive power, and one does not know what is going on,” said Ahmad Sayedi, political analyst.

Residents also blame the peace institutions for inefficiency in the peace process.

“These institutions built for peace are just symbolic. We want peace, not war,” said Romal, a resident of Kabul.

“The expectations that Afghans had from those institutions have not yet been met and they don’t have any achievements,” said Rafi, another resident of Kabul.

But the Presidential Palace says all three institutions are working for peace.

“There are no divisions or differences, but peace efforts are carried out under the umbrella of the government leadership,” said Sediqqi.

“The main responsibility for the peace process lies with the High Council for National Reconciliation, and you know that peace needs a fundamental debate, and we consulted with the people,” said Fraidoon Khwazoon, spokesman for the High Council for National Reconciliation.

The Loya Jirga is expected to last three to five days.

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