Afghanistan: Kabul between hope and fatalism on the eve of a historic agreement

Text by: Sonia Ghezali

The Americans and the Taliban will be in Doha in Qatar this Saturday for the signing of a historic agreement which must mark the gradual departure of American troops based in Afghanistan. A reduction in violence was concluded between the different parties, seven days ago, and will end on Saturday. In Kabul, the population is divided between hope and fatalism. Reportage.

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From our correspondent in Kabul,

Khalilullah is impatient. The announced signing of the agreement between the Americans and the Taliban gave him hope that he would finally see peace in Afghanistan.
In his restaurant, he dreams of a different life.

" We are just waiting for that to happen," he says. For the past 20 years, everything has been destruction and war between the Taliban and the government. All we want is to be able to work, to live with our families in peace and security, we want to live well. "

In his shop, Ershad, perched on his counter, grimaces. The tailor shakes his head. Annoyed. " We have not seen the color of peace," he says . What is peace? Last night there were two explosions in Kabul, six children were killed. Is that what peace is? "

On the sidewalk opposite, a group of women stop in front of a seller of bread stuffed with meat. Peace, they want to believe it. Djamila, the oldest, leaves it to God.

“ May God help us. There is only God who can help us to achieve peace. We pray for that, ”she said.

The road to peace is still very long. The agreement to be signed between the Americans and the Taliban this Saturday is only the first step.

► Read also : Afghanistan takes a step forward towards peace talks

The United States undertakes to gradually withdraw part of its 12,000 to 13,000 soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan and keep only 8,600 in exchange for the guarantee by the Taliban that Afghanistan will not become a refuge for terrorist groups. The insurgents must also commit to starting intra-Afghan peace talks.

The signing on Saturday in Doha comes after more than a year and a half of talks between the Taliban and the Americans and 19 years after the intervention of the United States to end the Taliban regime.

The reduction in violence that was concluded between the different parties was respected on Friday, for its seventh day, only a few minor attacks having been reported on the eve of the signing in Doha.

► Read also : "The Taliban have a great capacity to make their fighters obey"

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• afghanistan
• United States
• Taliban
• Qatar

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