OIC hails truce with Taliban, urges peace

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the ceasefire declared by the president of Afghanistan and the Taliban leadership, urging the parties for making it a permanent one.

The Taliban announced its first ceasefire in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S. invasion on June 9, with a three-day halt in hostilities against the country’s security forces that was greeted with relief by war-weary Afghans.

The unexpected move came two days after the Afghan government’s own surprise announcement of a week-long halt to operations against the Taliban.

“The Muslim Ummah, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation commend and welcome the declaration of the Government of Afghanistan and Taliban and they appeal to the Afghan nation to adhere to the ceasefire call in line with sense of respect for divine principles of Islam and patriotism...” said Dr. Yousef Al Othaimeen, Secretary General of the OIC in a statement on June 10.

“The noble Afghan nation is tired and has been losing blood of its innocent children as a result of decades-long internecine conflict imposed upon them, and it is high time for all Afghans to lay down arms and engage in constructive dialogue towards restoration of lasting peace, security and stability, essential for rebuilding their devastated country,” read the statement.

The secretary-general assured the government and people of Afghanistan that OIC “will stand firmly behind them as they march towards the path of peace and reconciliation.”