Afghanistan has signed a peace agreement with Hezb-i-Islami, paving the way for the armed group’s commander, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, to make a political comeback despite allegations of war crimes during the 1990s. Government officials praised yesterday’s agreement in the capital Kabul as a step towards peace, while critics said it opened the door to one of the most infamous figures in Afghanistan’s civil war to play a role in the country’s already divisive politics.
The United States has lauded the peace agreement signed between Afghanistan and Hizb-e Islami Gulbuddin, appreciating the step to seek a peaceful resolution through political dialogue and negotiation, spokesman of the National Security Council, the White House, Ned Price said yesterday. The deal with the largely dormant Hezb-i-Islami marks a symbolic victory for President Ashraf Ghani.
Yesterday’s agreement grants Hekmatyar amnesty for his offences and the release of certain Hezb-i-Islami prisoners. The government also agreed to press for the lifting of international sanctions on Hekmatyar, who was designated a global terrorist by the US for his suspected ties to al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Neither Hekmatyar nor Ghani were present at the signing ceremony on yesterday. The agreement will come into force when it is formally signed by Ghani and Hekmatyar, the government said, though no date has been set.