The Trauma of War (Part 3): Is Peace Possible in Afghanistan?
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” — Eleanor Roosevelt [1]
The challenge for peacebuilders and international human rights organizations is not only to end violence and prevent the rekindling of another conflict, but to also assist local communities and government in creating internal cohesion for sustainable peace [2]. For Afghanistan, peace and security have been elusive dreams. Since 2001, more than 31,000 civilians and 3,500 soldiers have died violent deaths as a result of the war [3]. As a conclusion to “The Trauma of War” blog series on the wounds sustained by soldiers in conflict, this article will examine peacebuilding efforts aimed at preventing a renewal of hostilities and instability in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is currently nearing the fifth year of its Transformation Decade (2015–2024), which commenced with the drawdown of international armed force in 2014 [4]. Despite a cessation of American military operations in Afghanistan since 2014, the war has continued to destroy innocent lives, either as a direct result of conflict or due to the breakdown of health, security, and infrastructure in the region. Moreover, slow economic growth, high rates of unemployment and increasing levels of conflict-related displacement of civilians have forced vulnerable communities to the brink of destruction [5]. The inhumane violence between the government and Taliban forces have only exacerbated these conditions, as the latter actively target journalists, youth and activists. Consequently in June 2018, over Eid-al-Fitr, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a ceasefire between the government and the Taliban. This was followed by the Tashkent Conference held in Uzbekistan, which resulted in a Declaration that reflected the desire by all parties to achieve peace [6]. Although the ceasefire persisted for just three days, it exemplified that peace and greater stability in Afghanistan is achievable. There is hope for Afghans who have endured conflict all their life to live in peace and without fear.
Momentum has also been building across political and civil society spheres in the country as local Afghan people advocate for an end to a seemingly endless war. Most notably, women have been at the forefront in Afghan civil society pushing for a future for Afghanistan that looks different from its past — a future that holds those continuing to support the Taliban accountable and ends violence against women and girls [7]. Recently, female activists and nearly two dozen organizations wrote a letter to the members of the United Nations Security Council, urging the international community to adopt a more active role in promoting peace in Afghanistan; “In light of the latest wave of increased violence and targeted killing of innocent civilians across Afghanistan, we women of Afghanistan are writing to urge the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) members to stand in unity with Afghans and take a strong stance to hold accountable states who are in a way affiliated with, or supporting, aiding and abetting terrorist groups that are waging war against innocent Afghan civilians, especially women and children” [8].
Moreover, the youth in Afghanistan have been actively participating in creating a more inclusive and peaceful region. According to Afghan activist Gita Bashardoost, “young Afghans can be agents of change, with their fresh ideas and dynamic minds” [9]. In her most recent initiative, for example, Bashardoost brought together more than 200 school girls to inspire them to think about how they can work toward peace in their communities (UNSC). In a series of events backed by the Kunduz regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) last year, including radio and television programmes, young Afghans came together to discuss their role in building peace in their communities and to strategize on ways to increase participation in Afghanistan’s political and social life. While young Afghans in Kunduz, one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, face several challenges such as illiteracy and unemployment, they symbolize a growing awareness that any peace process in the country is impossible without the involvement of young people [10]. UNAMA has thus proactively supported the efforts of Afghan people and government in achieving peace and security. In accordance with its mandate as a political mission, UNAMA facilitates conflict prevention and resolution, promoting inclusion and social cohesion as well as strengthening regional cooperation. The Mission supports effective governance, promoting national ownership and accountable institutions that are built on respect for human rights [11].
Fortunately, some Taliban fighters have also been vocal about their increasing weariness with the realities of the battlefield and the prolonged conflict. “We have lost many young Afghans. We have orphans, we have widows — if people from government die, they are Afghans. If Taliban die, they are Afghans,” remarked Mullah Sher Agha, a Taliban commander [7]. Furthermore, there have been peace talks between the US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban delegation in Qatar since October 2018. A Taliban official who was part of the four-person delegation to that meeting said it produced “very positive signals” [12]. Thus, there is hope of a future truce with the Taliban, as evidenced in recent peace talks and an end to the 17-year-old Afghan conflict [13].
These advocates and peacebuilders are part of a larger global chorus voicing that enough is enough. They exemplify the uniqueness of the peace process in Afghanistan that differs from any other peace process. The growing public outrage against the terrorism and instability of the region has the potential to push the Taliban and its supporters to the peace table [7]. As Roland Kobia, the EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, emphasizes, the “Afghan peace process can only be successful if it is driven by Afghanistan itself” [6]. It should be “Afghan-owned and Afghan-led,” but a political settlement is needed in which the international community can have a great role as a helping factor [6].
It is time we encourage the work of civil society and end this culture of terrorism. Support the work of Nonviolence International-New York as we fight for a safer and more peaceful world. You can read parts 1 and 2 of “The Trauma of War” blog series and learn about the destructive impact of war and conflict on soldiers. You can also read more about the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and follow them on Twitter @UNAMAnews to get more involved.
References:
[1] “10 Inspirational Quotes about Peace.” 2017. Peace News Network. Peace News Network. April 25, 2017. https://www.peacenews.com/single-post/2017/03/15/10-Inspirational-Quotes-about-Peace.
[2] Eklöw, Karolina, and Florian Krampe. 2018. “Lessons from Post-Conflict States: Peacebuilding Must Factor in Environment and Climate Change.” Center for Security Studies. CSS. November 22, 2018. https://isnblog.ethz.ch/environment/lessons-from-post-conflict-states-peacebuilding-must-factor-in-environment-and-climate-change.
[3] “Afghan Civilians.” 2016. Costs of War. Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. August 2016. https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/civilians/afghan.
[4] UN Secretary-General. 2018. “The Situation in Afghanistan and Its Implications for International Peace and Security.” Rep. The Situation in Afghanistan and Its Implications for International Peace and Security. United Nations . https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/sg_report_on_afghanistan_12_sept.pdf.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Sharma, Madhu. 2018. “The War for Peace in Afghanistan.” New Delhi Times . New Delhi Times. November 17, 2018. https://www.newdelhitimes.com/the-war-for-peace-in-afghanistan/.
[7] Lemmon, Gayle Tzemach. 2018. “The Future for Peace in Afghanistan Is Much Brighter.” CNN. Cable News Network. September 6, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/06/opinions/afghanistan-creating-lasting-peace-lemmon/index.html.
[8] “Afghan Women’s Open Letter to the United Nations Security Council Members .” Letter to United Nations Security Council. 2018, 2018. https://forum.cartercenter.org/sites/default/files/2018-08/AfghanWomensOpenLetterToUNSC.pdf.
[9] “Young Afghans Essential for Peace-Building in Country’s Northeast.” 2018. United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. United Nations. January 17, 2018. https://unama.unmissions.org/young-afghans-essential-peace-building-country’s-northeast.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] “Afghanistan: Taliban Confirms Talks with US Peace Envoy in Qatar.” 2018. Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera. October 13, 2018. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/envoy-afghan-peace-meets-taliban-officials-qatar-181013084549975.html.
[13] Ibid.
