The Peace Consultative Jirga aimed to determine the framework for talks with the Taliban was wrapped up today May 3 2014. More than 3200 people from different parts of Afghanistan who represented different ethnic and religious groups had participate in the gathering. These representatives were tasked to identify ways to end war and violence in the country in order to put an end to more than four decades of conflict in the country and suffering of Afghans. To this end, Afghanistan needs to create a unified stance on peace and that the Jirga delegates ere assigned to determine the “direction” of the peace process. A peace deal based on this Jirga must ensure shall to help Afghanistan to develop economically and cut its dependence from foreign aid.
Jirga members as the sole decision makers
In a political environment like Afghanistan, pessimism is natural. Thus, some Afghan politicians and ordinary people distrusted the Afghan government that it will influence the Jirga members for its predetermined agenda. They assumed the Afghan government will use the Peace Consultative Jirga for presidential campaign and even worse to amend the tenure of the National Unity Government. However, Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, head of the Grand Consultative Jirga on Peace, made it clear on the inauguration day that it was the Peace Jirga delegates who would show the government the way towards peace and the government would do what they demanded, and one would impose anything on them. He added that they had not gathered there for support of anyone, not for campaign of anyone.  Sayyaf had assured the Peace Jirga delegates that they would see that why the people had gathered there once the statement was releases on Friday and the result would show them that this Jirga was not for anyone’s support.
PCJ resolution a clear indication of the will of the Afghans
The Peace Consultative Jirga delegates included their demands in a 23-Article resolution after the Grand Consultative Jirga on Peace ended after five days. Some of the most important points of the resolution include formation of a unified view of Islam by the Taliban and the country’s religious scholars, preserving the Islamic Republic system, preserving the Afghanistan’s Constitution and if needed, amendments should be brought to it through required legitimate mechanisms, preserving the basic rights of all Afghans, including women’s rights and their rights for education,  maintaining and empowering the a strong Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to ensure durable peace in the country.
The Peace Consultative Jirga was successfully concluded. The members of the Jirga proved that they can sacrifice their personal and ethnic interests for the sake of national interest of Afghanistan. They could shape a peace road map that has clearly identified the roles and responsibilities of the Afghan people and government towards peace talks. They unanimously called on for a unified approach in peace talks under the leadership and ownership of the Afghan government conditioned to consultations with the nation and putting their recommendation into practice. President Ashraf Ghani, has pledged to implement all the demands mentioned in the resolution by the Afghan government. And the United Nation mission in Afghanistan has voiced it supports of the call of the Grand Consultative Jirga for Peace and has vowed to help parties to end the conflict. As a result, the recommendations of the Peace Consultative Jirga are backed by the Afghan nation and international community. As a result, the Afghan government shall develop the necessary mechanisms to bring peace and prosperity in the country. Finally, the military cooperation of the international community shall be replaced with sustainable economic participation between Afghanistan and the international community to ensure a viable peace.