The Afghanistan government and Taliban began peace talks on Saturday in Qatar after nearly two decades of bloodshed. The two groups are finally coming to the table after repeated delays.
The negotiations became possible only after the US-Taliban deal in February which resulted in the withdrawal of troops over 14 months and release of Taliban's prisoners in Afghanistan. The Taliban has insisted on not holding direct talks with the Afghanistan government as they believed them to be American puppets. Thus the Afghan envoy includes government officials, members of the opposition and non-government experts.
The principal goal of the talks is a permanent ceasefire. The daily death toll on all sides regularly exceeds 50 - a major blow to a nation of just over 30 million people.
The Afghan government wants a democratic political system, while the Taliban wishes to reimpose its Islamic system of governance. The Taliban has however given vague mentions of a more "inclusive" rule but experts believe it could jeopardise the minimal work done in women's rights in the country.
A peace deal would be the first time in generations that a new form of government was being established not at gunpoint. The current model was due to the American invasion in 2001, and every previous one since the 1979 Soviet invasion was set off by coup, collapse or conquest.
Written by Anushree Appandairajan
Artwork by Aurora Brooks
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