Afghanistan should form an inclusive government representing all aspects of society, former Afghan president Hamid Karzai said, adding the move will help the government to gain international recognition. Calling the Taliban “brothers”, he said uniting all Afghans was a way forward to end the sufferings of people. 

In an interview with BBC, he named the Loya Jirga — a traditional assembly of Afghan elders through which Karzai was elected as the president in 2002 — as a good option for the formation of the ground for a legitimate government. On the US’ over the horizon counterterrorism mission, Karzai said the US should stop interference in the country, and instead should help Afghans tackle their problems. 

The former president also said he had held discussions with the Taliban on several issues including women’s rights, educations, flag, and the inclusive government. “We really ... want them to go back to school--the girls--not only to schools but to universities, but to the workplace. Yes, we have had talks about this with the Taliban,” Karzai said. 

“They hear me on this. They understand it and they say that it will happen. We say that it should happen now, immediately,” he added. “And the need for a political process, for a government that belongs to all Afghans, that all Afghans see as theirs--that is inclusive,” he said.

Karzai, who became the leader of Afghanistan after the fall of the first Taliban government in 2001, urged the international community to come to the country and help Afghans. 

“…The international community must help Afghanistan rebuild itself, must heal the wounds that have been caused on all sides. Must work with the Taliban - they are the government today. Work towards improvements towards a better Afghanistan,” Karzai suggested.  

No country has recognized the Taliban government, which seized power in the country in August. 

“Look, they (the Taliban) have not been able to gain recognition by anyone, they have made many promises to their friends, to the international community, to Afghans,” former Afghan ambassador to Moscow Sayed Taib Jawad was quoted as saying by TOLOnews. 

The group hasn’t delivered on their promises, he said, adding “it does not look like they are going to be recognized soon, at least by the countries in the region, including Russia." 

(SAM)