Tayyib Agha: Another Victim of Peace and Counting

Nazar Mohammad Mutmaeen

Afghan writer and political Analyst based in Kabul

Preface:

Forty-two years ago, after President Sardar Daoud Khan took power, a very few numbers of Mujahedeen raised up against him. Daoud Khan wished to follow the path of peace, and as a result he became victim of peace. He fought over defending national interests against the Soviets and our neighboring country, Pakistan.

About 28 years ago, the Mujahedeen were at the peak of their struggle and glory as Dr. Najeebullah took power; his first attempt was sharing power with Mujahedeen, but he failed after trying again and again. He tried to give Mujahedeen more power every time they talked, but the leaders of Mujahedeen were not accepting this option either. They wanted his surrender. Then, Dr. Najeebullah tried to hand over the entire power to Mr. Hekmatyar in exchange for providing the pro-Communists with the right to live, but, the historical mistake was done: Hekmatyar, in very few words, let the representative of Dr. Najeebullah understand that he does not accept their terms and that he will enter to Kabul as a conqueror.

Ahmad Shah Masoud established a coalition with head of Parcham Wing of Afghanistan’s Communist Party, Babrak Karmal and head of wayward militias, Abdul Rashid Dostum; the second coup on Najeebullah was organized by Parcham Wing of Afghanistan’s Communist Party. Coups on Daoud and Dr. Najeebullah, both of them were organized by Communists.

Every attempt of peace failed in the reign of Prof. Rabbani that lasted for 4 years (from 1992 to 1996). Prof. Rabbani, truthfully, wished for restoring peace, but he failed, and became yet another victim of peace efforts.

Political Analyst, Mohammad Zaman Muzammil says that Prof. Rabbani, in front of a crowd, told us that this would be our fate which caused us to have war with Arabs (who came to Afghanistan to help us liberate the country from Soviets) and Taliban; and that this Islamic nation has lost irreplaceable brave sons, our bad fate made us to have fighting with these youth.

Besides having such a rightful and patriotic understanding, he happened to live his whole life fighting. Prof. Sayyaf who is a professor of Hadith, having that much knowledge, was fought the same Arab Mujahedeen once supported him and fought Taliban and was standing on side of Ahmad Shah Masoud.

I believe that leaders wished to have peace, but every time, while peace talks were becoming closer to succeed, puppets of foreigners were interfering in an failing the entire process.

Qutbuddin Hilal said, the Council for Coordination of the Northern alliance was so close to have an understanding with the Taliban, and even the statement was ready to be declared, however, these talks were ended by Hizb-I Islami without a result, and Humayon Jareer, by contacting Mr. Hekmatyar from Iran, played negative role in this process.

Talks between the Taliban and the Northern alliance were heading to result, everything was going well, the entire points were being agreed upon, declaration of the joint statement was left only, abruptly, the Northern Coalition withdrew from talks insisting on Zahir Shah’s reincarnation, the one who the Taliban were accusing a lot of people that they work for King Zahir Shah. Negotiations failed again.

Taliban made agreements with Mr. Karzai, Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, Raiees Abdul Wahid and Abdul Salam Raketi had face to face talks with him, however, the entire agreements became dismissed after passing one day.

Some of the Taliban leaders contacted the Kandahar administration in order to stay in the country, but they were not granted with permission, however, those who left in the country were taken whether to prisons of Guantanamo or Bagram.

Targeting those who are committed to truthful peace

Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani, who had met Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef and Mawlawi Wakil Ahmad Mutawakkil, the former leaders of the Taliban, was struggling for truthful peace. He, in his last visit to Pakistan, was warned about his safety, and, soon after that, he became killed in Kabul’s Wazir Akbar Khan, then.

Gen. Hazara that was telling truth about the peace process in the media, a bomb was planted in front of his house and were exploded, he became injured, but remained alive.

When Ustad Mohaqqiq lightly promised that he will meet the Taliban, mines exploded on his vehicle; he has not pronounced the word “peace” after that.

Maasoum Stanekzai is the other player of peace that has rescued from several deadly attacks.

A leader of the Taliban that believed in independence, died in foreign countries’ prisons; Mullah Obaidullah, the Defense Minister of Taliban and Mullah Biradar Akhund, the deputy of Mullah Mohammad Omar, after expressing their will for peace, became imprisoned and lost their health in prisons in foreign countries. Mullah Abdullatif Mansour, immediately after letting members of the Taliban Political Commission to have talks with K.I.D in Dubai, became imprisoned.

Incomplete and Disappointing Efforts on Peace

President Ghani that was repeating slogans of peace, after arriving from the United States, interpreted the peace talks with a different meaning. Similiarly, Rasheed Dostum and Muhaqqiq announced that they will establish militias; Atta Noor started repeating slogans of defending the North.

The PUGWASH Conference in Doha was definitely a great achievement toward peace, also, the meetings between Taliban and Afghans in Dubai were the things that had made Afghans optimistic, and participation of the leaders of the Taliban and the Afghan government in an important meeting of representatives of 150 countries in Norway and meeting between Said Tayyib Agha and Hekmat Karzai in there were the things that had made us to be more optimistic.

Suddenly the Urumqi Talks came to ground that delayed the efforts of the Taliban Political Commission as a result of interference of regional spy agencies.

The Murree meeting, whoever was participated in, was an achievement, the main representatives of Taliban, Mawlawi Abdul Latif Mansour and Mullah Abbas Akhund were participated in it; disregarding that how they became made to participate in the meeting, such meetings are appropriate for peace.

While talking on the second meeting, China and America were insisting that the leaders of the Taliban’s Political Commission (TPC) should participate in this meeting, however, the head of TPC did not want to participate in the talks under the authority and pressure of Pakistan, he wished to have negotiations independently, this was the reason that Rahimullah Yousufzai was given task to write an article full of pessimism and hatred, hence, Pakistan tried to practice some parts of the article as they were planned before.

Our Question Remained Unanswered

Instead of asking the leaders of the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan about the ceasefire that where it is and that why they could not make the Taliban to have peace talks; they changed the topic and focused it on death of Mullah Mohammad Omar, appointment of Taliban’s new leader and opposition against him, and the domestic, regional and international media enlarged these disagreements, also.

Do not we Afghans have right to ask that why our peace is being taken hostage intentionally every time we try? Why and who put obstacles in front of the peace process on purpose? Why the war is tried to be elongated, why the Taliban are being made slaves of others? Why efforts on dividing the Taliban are going on?

Are the above-mentioned efforts are in our benefit? Or that if the one rank of the Taliban was made peace with.

Resignation of Said Tayyib Agha and Inner Quarrels of the Taliban

Pakistan, using its entire power, was trying to remove Tayyib Agha from the play, taking his family hostage and threatening his friends and himself might be the things that have faced the peace process with obstacles.

Recently, these threats are reached to Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef that wishes for independent peace talks, he was threatened by some intelligence circles in order to not support the independence peace talks’ policy of the TPC and that he should leave these jobs.

Now, as change came in leadership of the Taliban, the peace negotiations would definitely became under effect of Pakistan, and Pakistan would definitely struggle in order to get privilege, and due to some appearing disagreements in the Taliban would ease opening the path to Pakistan to interference in the peace process more than ever.

If the Taliban repeated the historical mistake of Mujahedeen, they would not be able to recover from it, as it is commonly said that political mistake is never recoverable.

Mawlawi Khalis Baba did not want any role to be given to Pakistan in the process of establishing an Afghan government; establishing an interim government of Mujahedeen by Pakistan is the thing that caused us to taste its blood till now, and only Afghans are the victim of this process.

Resignation of Said Tayyib Agha, head of the TPC, and more recently resignations of Mulvi Nik Muhammad and Aziz Rahman, are also so distressing. Their resignation was not because of taking/losing power, and it was because of two questions, why the death of Mullah Mohammad Omar was kept hidden from him and why the process of appointing new leader for the Taliban took place in Pakistan. It looks like that the other leaders of the Taliban could not convince him, however, if the leaders of the Taliban did not take Said Tayyib Agha seriously, it would cause the Taliban to suffer a lot on political level, the reason is that Tayyib Agha was an intelligent young politician, in my opinion, Tayyib Agha insisted that the leaders of the Taliban should leave Pakistan, and his wish, before the new leader of the Taliban became appointed, was that Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour should not stay in Pakistan anymore.

If the one and united rank of the Taliban became divided, the 14 years ideals of foreigners, the joint project of government of Afghanistan and Pakistan for dividing the Taliban and receiving privileges by Pakistan would become into reality.

Tayyib Agha would have to resign according to following reasons:

First: He had concern about increasing pressure of Pakistan in the future; previously, when he had full authority, he could make decisions without advising the Leading Council of the Taliban, he would not have that much authority now; his authority would be definitely becoming limited.

Second: He was talking with the international community very highly that he receives decrees directly from Mullah Mohammad Omar, it would be hard for him to convince the international community that for what purpose he was using Mullah Mohammad Omar’s name, in the case, he had died two years ago.

Third: If Tayyib Agha, in person, was aware of the death of Mullah Mohammad Omar, and then and again, he was dealing with the international community as he receives orders directly from Mullah Mohammad Omar, in this case, he would not convince the international community, either.

Fourth: In order for the TPC and his own personality to not become hurt more than that, he, after advising his colleagues, would decide to resign.

What is needed to be done for peace?

The Afghan government, Taliban themselves, former Mujahedeen, Pakistan and the international community should try to keep Taliban one and united instead of dividing them, resulting the peace talks would be easy if they are started with one leadership instead of with divided Taliban and individual groups.

If it is thought that the Talban should be divided in groups and they should be given less privileges then, Mujahedeen had 7 parties in Pakistan and 8 others in Iran, Russia and Dr. Najeebullah were not able to satisfy them with providing privileges to them; if the Afghan government and regional and international spy agencies believe that dividing the Taliban is the right solution, however, if 10% or 20% of the Taliban from the present mechanism left unaffected, the fighting would be continuing, then.

And if the idea of providing Pakistan with privileges is in place, the virulent experience of Mujahedeen is going to repeat, then. However, it is needed for Pakistan to truthfully support the peace process and to struggle for ending the war instead of elongating it.

It would a big mistake for the Taliban, if they initiate peace talks as a result of authority and pressure of any country, until they did not initiate peace talks independently, and if the war becomes continued as a result of their incorrect political decision, they, like the former Mujahedeen, would be blamed by and responsible for the Afghan nation.

It is needed for a group of third-party Afghans to be established in order for inter-Afghan face to face peace negotiations to be started without suffering any pressure from other countries.

Appointment of Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour and Issue of Dissatisfied Taliban

The new leader of the Taliban which was said that he left Pakistan after the Murree meeting; a lot of people thought that Pakistan would not have power to put pressure on the Taliban and make them to have peace talks as a result of their pressure.

But, gathering leaders of the Taliban in Pakistan and making decision on their leader is the question that some of the Taliban leaders have in their mind. However, credible sources said that Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour was not present in the meeting held for appointing the new leader of the Taliban, perhaps, he did not want to become the leader or he would distant himself or maybe he would not be near to the place of meeting, or he would be out Pakistan, the time would should that where he was in the leader’s appointment day, and why he did not participate in that meeting.

According to my information, the leaders of the Taliban did not want to appoint a new leader with such a hurry, they wanted to announce the death of Mullah Mohammad Omar in the upcoming winter and gather opinions from entire military and political Taliban on the issue, and the decision on appointing their new leader to be made in a rather huge meeting, at that point.

As some of former leaders of the Taliban took news of the death of Mullah Mohammad Omar to other spy agencies, so, the Taliban, concerning of an inappropriate and discontent leader to be imposed by some intelligence quarters on them, called for an emergency meeting for appointing their new leader and they announced Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour as their new emir, then.

Appointing Siraj-ul Haq Haqqani as deputy leader is a good job; his objection would cause a lot of problem if he was dissatisfied. Mullah Qayyoum Zakir got use of discretion and did not object. Said Tayyib Agha resigned after thinking deeply; it was good rather than objection. It is a good improvement for Mullah Mohammad Omar’s son and brother that they did not object, instead, they, together with other dissatisfied Taliban, wait to establish an understanding with the new leader of the Taliban.

It would be good for Mullah Mohammad Hassan Rahmani, Mullah Abdul Razzaq and Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi and friends of them to do the same; they would have shared their objection and opinion with Mullah Mansour. There is still time, the Taliban should think of the future of Afghanistan more than their own future. Their mistake puts Afghanistan in fire, and causes them to be burned with their fellow Afghans eventually.

Whether the new leader of the Taliban should leave the dissatisfied groups and individuals unhappy, the answer is NO; he and his entire friends should try to remake their dissatisfied friends happy, even including some of the Taliban leaders that live in Kabul and have not misused the title of Taliban, and do not let the political disagreement and thoughts’ disparities to end up on division and eventually on war.

If some friends of Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour think that separating some individuals from their team would benefit them, they make a full mistake, you witnessed how separation of Mullah Mutaseem Agha Jan affected you negatively, now, if other leaders are being separated one by one, definitely, it would hurt you badly.

What Should Taliban Do

Disaffection is occurred in every movement and political party, friends of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had objections and even fighting among each other, although three Caliphs, Omar, Othman and Ali were killed due to these objections.

It is not in benefit of the country’s destiny to be hurt by inner disagreements. United Taliban are in benefit of everyone. Even the Western sources and media have concerns on division of the Taliban that would cause the fate of war and peace to enter to in an uncertain situation. First of all, the entire disagreements and objections should be discussed and resolved through means of inner mechanisms, advices and negotiations. The objection should not go out with any mean. Dissatisfied individuals from one side and disaffected individuals from other side should not take it to the media and start pen war against each other on the internet, are nothing expect sedition. Taking disagreements out causes deploying against each other, and changing political disagreements to mental and physical fighting.

Now, considering the fate of the country, political tensions and uncertainty of war, it is time for everyone to struggle for reconciliation and unity. Tensions, divisions and disaffections are not allowed neither in Islam nor the country has power to suffer them. As some children are content with recent objections and try to enlarge them, or the Western media broadcast superlative and wrong reports or that the anti-Taliban government-pro and West-pro new generation become happy for the disagreements, these malicious presages should not be tuned into reality by the Taliban themselves, then.

If every side has remission, this issue won’t get worse anymore. But, if everyone stands on their position, neither the Islam’s principle of advice is taken care nor the principles of an order political movement are being obeyed, then. Hence, the sides and groups that are content with this division, their fate and historical prestige will not be different than those Mujahedeen that were fighting against Soviet Union, however, after the Jihad succeeded; they put the country to fire as a result of power abuse and intolerance. I believe that if advice is considered in every work, understanding is established and awareness on foreign interventions is provided, objection would remain just as a verbal disagreement. But if, unlike Islamic principles, there is suspiciousness about each other, not hearing each other’s opinions, accusing each other with ambitiousness, it can be told that the death of Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid is the end of the Taliban movement, it is the thing that both the enemies of Islam and, Afghanistan’s unity and peace want it.