After two days of talks in Doha, the Taliban reiterated their demand that the US release billions of dollars in blocked cash as aid-dependent Afghanistan grapples with economic turmoil.
In meetings led by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and US Special Representative for Afghanistan Tom West, Afghans also demanded an end to blacklists and sanctions.
It was the second round of discussions between the two sides in Qatar after the United States concluded its 20-year occupation of Afghanistan and the movement regained power quickly.
“The two delegations discussed political, economic, human, health, education, and security concerns, as well as providing required banking and currency facilities,” said Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Afghan foreign ministry on Twitter.
“The Afghan delegation guaranteed the US side of security and sought the unconditional release of Afghanistan’s frozen funds, the removal of blacklists and sanctions, and the separation of human and political matters.”
The Afghan central bank’s assets worth over $9.5 billion were confiscated by the US. The IMF and the World Bank have also halted operations in Afghanistan, withholding aid as well as $340 million in additional reserves released by the IMF in August.
The Afghan economy has practically collapsed, with state officials going months without pay and the government’s coffers unable to pay for imports. The United Nations has warned that during the winter months, roughly 22 million people, or more than half of the population, may face “acute” food shortages.
The US sanctions have targeted Taliban government commander Mullah Hassan Akhund. The US side maintained its stance on measures and stated that it was working to provide assistance to ordinary Afghans.
“The US remains committed to ensuring that US sanctions do not restrict Afghan civilians’ ability to receive humanitarian assistance from the US government and international community while denying assets to sanctioned entities and individuals,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price in a statement.
“The Department of the Treasury has given general licences to allow the continuous flow of humanitarian supplies and other activities that support fundamental human needs to the people of Afghanistan.”
The United States reminded the Taliban of its promise to not allow terrorist organisations to operate on its turf and to provide safe passage for US individuals departing Afghanistan.
The Americans also demanded the return of Mark Frerichs, a US citizen who was kidnapped in Afghanistan last February.
The Taliban described the meetings as “good,” adding that Muttaqi also met with the Japanese and German diplomats in Doha.
