Now is not the time to hold elections to determine the government, said Mohammad Sohail Shaheen, spokesman for the movement’s Qatari political office
The Taliban have resumed talks to establish a new, inclusive government in Afghanistan. The Afghan TV channel TOLONews on Friday said citing a statement by Mohammad Sohail Shaheen, the spokesman for the movement’s Qatari political office.
We have resumed talks on setting up an inclusive government in Afghanistan”, he was quoted as saying. – Consultations are underway with different political factions regarding the make-up of the future government. When that composition is determined, it will be announced.”
“Now is not the time to hold elections to determine the government”, – said Shaheen. – “We have a power vacuum. Therefore, there is no time for elections. Nor is there a new constitution yet; we are drafting it for later approval. There is a lot of work to be done, and it requires an inclusive government. These people will be chosen through dialogue between different politicians and our top leadership.”
After the US announced the end of the armed operation in Afghanistan and the start of the withdrawal of troops, the Taliban launched an offensive against government forces and entered Kabul without fighting by August 15. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was leaving the country to prevent bloodshed. Western countries evacuate their citizens and embassy staff.