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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addresses the media after registering as a presidential candidate at the Independent Electoral Commission on January 20 (image for illustration). REUTERS / Omar Sobhani

The Taliban called Tuesday, July 6 in a statement the Afghan people to "boycott" the presidential election scheduled for late September and to avoid gatherings "that could become potential targets."

In a statement issued by their spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, the insurgents " ask " their fighters to oppose " against the sham of this theatrical process to the fullest extent of their abilities ."

" To prevent our compatriots from suffering losses (...), they must avoid gatherings that could become potential targets ," they threatened.

"Excellent progress" in the negotiations

The announcement comes as the United States and insurgent representatives hold an eighth round of talks in Doha . US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad welcomed Monday evening " excellent progress " between the two sides.

Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen also said Tuesday that " excellent progress " had been made in an interview with AFP. " We are discussing the last remaining points and the peace agreement will be concluded. We will then decide on the date of the announcement of the agreement, "he continued.

Presidential uncertain

The campaign for the presidential election was officially opened on July 28th. Seventeen candidates remain in the running for the poll, of which the outgoing head of state is the favorite. Scheduled initially at the end of April, the presidential election of September 28 has been postponed twice.

However, it is still unclear as to what may then happen in Norway - if a US-Taliban agreement is signed in Doha - peace talks between the insurgents and representatives of the Kabul government.

(with AFP)