UN chief welcomes Taliban’s temporary truce announcement, encourages all parties to embrace 'Afghan-owned peace'
Peace and Security
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the Taliban’s announcement of a three-day partial ceasefire during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, urging all parties concerned “to seize this opportunity and embrace an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.”
This follows the recent announcement by the Afghan Government that it would begin a seven-day ceasefire on 12 June, the 27th day of Ramadan, and run to Eid-ul-Fitr.
“The Secretary-General strongly believes that there is no military solution to this conflict and that only a political settlement can bring an end to the suffering in Afghanistan,” his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement issued Saturday.
On behalf of Mr. Guterres, he reiterated the UN’s commitment to “supporting the people and Government of Afghanistan in this important endeavor.”
Security Council Press Statement
The Members of the UN Security Council issued a Press Statement on Monday, June 11, welcoming the Afghan Government's announcement too, urging the Taliban to "reciprocate the Government's temporary ceasefire in full."
"The members of the Security Council reiterated their call upon the Taliban to accept the offer made by the Afghan Government in February this year to engage in direct peace talks without any preconditions and without the threat of violence," said the statement, adding that talks should head towards "an ultimate political settlement that leads to sustainable peace for the people of Afghanistan."