News Analysis: Afghan analysts eye revival of peace talks with reservations

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif alongside Afghan president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday once again described Afghanistan's enemy as Pakistan's enemy and vowed to facilitate the resumption of the stalled peace talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban outfit.

Addressing the "Heart of Asia" Conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif clearly stated that, "Enemies of Afghanistan are the enemies of Pakistan" and that the Pakistani government would continue to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

The proposed peace talks, will reportedly be held within two weeks.

However, some Afghan political experts are looking with pessimism at the promise and opined that no peace talks can commence unless and until Pakistan closes down the alleged Taliban sanctuaries on Pakistani soil.

According to Afghanistan political observers, the internal differences and fragmentation within the Taliban is also making it difficult for the Afghan government to initiate the peace negotiation at this juncture.

"Since the Taliban outfit has been divided into small groups following the confirmation of the death of Mullah Omar in July, it is difficult for the government to decide who should initiate the peace talks," political analyst Khan Mohammad Daneshjo told Xinhua.

The first-ever face to face talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban outfit with the mediation of the Pakistani government was held in late July in the scenic city of Murree some 100 km from Islamabad.

But the Taliban's new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor halted the talks following the confirmation of the death of Taliban former leader Mullah Mohammad Omar in July.

Mullah Akhtar who named himself as Amirul Momenin (commander of the faithful) or Taliban leader in early August in his first address to his supporters, blasted the peace talks as being a meaningless practice and instead vowed to push for war.

However, Mullah Omar being succeeded by Akhtar Mansoor has divided the Taliban group, as Mullah Omar's family challenged Mansoor leadership as being illegitimate and called for his resignation, a demand that was refuted.

Mansoor desperately trying to remain as Amirul Momenin, prompted Mullah Mohammad Rasoul, a close aide to Mullah Omar, announced himself as Amirul Momenin one month ago in the western Farah province and since then several clashes have been reported between Mansoor's supporters and his opponents in different provinces, which have claimed hundreds of lives, according to local media reports.

"Neither Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor, nor Mullah Mohammad Rasoul have signaled for peace talks with the Afghan government," Daneshjo who is also editor-in-chief of the weekly Abbadi said. Enditem