Afghan government announces delegate for talks with Taliban

The government of Afghanistan announced a 21-member team to negotiate with the Taliban, in a tentative sign of progress for the United States-brokered peace deal.

The list announced by the country’s State Ministry of Peace was headed by Masoom Stanekzai, a former National Directorate of Security chief and supporter of President Ashraf Ghani, and included politicians, former officials and representatives of civil society. Five members were women.

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According to the sources of Reuters, It was not immediately clear whether Ghani’s political rival Abdullah Abdullah would endorse the team selected, which diplomats have said would be vital given his camp’s strong influence in much of the country’s north and west.

Abdullah’s spokesman said he could neither confirm or deny whether Abdullah supported the team.