Embattled and isolated among the country’s political elites, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he would not run for any future elections in the country, according to a report in TOLOnews. He insisted he would transfer power only through elections. 

The remark came when his prerecorded message was played in a gathering of people from northern provinces in capital Kabul. Referring to various peace plans suggested by foreign countries, Ghani said he had his own “clear plan for peace” and termed it more inclusive. 

“Our proposal for a transition from an imposed war to a just and permanent peace is very clear,” Ghani was quoted as saying by TOLOnews, adding “we have the capacity to proposed more inclusive and principled plans.” 

The remark is significant as within weeks now the various international players, with stakes in Afghanistan, as well as the Taliban and the Afghan government are to participate in the UN-led Turkey conference. 

The US has proposed a formation of a participatory government that would include members from the Taliban, in exchange for a reduction in violence by the Taliban. However, Ghani has so far refused to budge on transfer of power only through elections. 

Contrary to him, the High Council For National Reconciliation - a national body responsible for negotiating peace with the Taliban- remains flexible on elections once other gains of the republican system are secured in the peace deal.