Qatar’s mediation was pivotal to the end of the war and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The mediation has gone through different stages until reaching that point. Qatar gained its status as an international mediator between the US and the Taliban after making tremendous efforts. Here we review the most significant phases along the way.
Qatar’s Gradual Approach
The Qatari approach towards Afghanistan progressed over careful diplomatic steps. Doha made great efforts with all parties, constantly seeking to reassure Washington and all regional and international parties. Here are examples of Qatari efforts before and during the Afghan evacuee crisis following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan:
- Providing a table for negotiations with the Taliban.
- Launching an air bridge to provide logistical assistance during the evacuation of Western nationals from Kabul.
- Conducting evacuation operations for Afghans wishing to leave the country.
- Helping restart Kabul airport operations in record time and providing most of the necessary equipment.
- Hosting Afghan evacuees in Qatar before they go to their final destinations.
Qatar’s status as a mediator with the Taliban has evolved over years, particularly since the opening of a political office for the Taliban in Doha according to an agreement with the US. The office was opened in 2013, after the failure of direct negotiations between Taliban and representatives of Afghanistan and NATO. The failure highlighted the need for a clear channel of communication with the group.
Even when talks between the Taliban and the former Afghan government stalled in 2020, western governments and international organizations accepted Qatar as a point of contact with the group. Additionally, the foreign ministers of the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, and the US hailed the Qatari role.
Despite attempts by other governments to assume a mediation role, Qatar has been the most persistent and successful in performing this task and has proven its effectiveness as a mediator acceptable to all parties.
Notable Milestones in Mediation
Mediation began in 2009 and its most significant stages included:
- March 2009: The first stage of the negotiation, which began when former US President Barack Obama indicated in an interview with the New York Times the possibility of a dialogue with the Taliban.
- November 2010: Qatar participated in the first negotiation meeting that brought together US officials and representatives of the Taliban in Munich, Germany.
- February 2011: Doha hosted the second meeting between the US officials and representatives of the Taliban.
- May 2011: Germany hosted the third meeting between the Taliban and Washington, and the two parties agreed to lay the foundations for a final solution to the conflict.
- January 2012: After extensive communications, a new round of negotiations was held in Doha between five Taliban officials and US negotiators. Principles were agreed upon to build confidence between the two parties, including opening an office for the Taliban in Doha and exchanging prisoners.
- June 2013: The Taliban opened its office in Doha to facilitate peace negotiations.
- October 2018: This stage witnessed a new shift in the negotiations, as Zalmay Khalilzad was appointed as the US President’s special envoy to Afghanistan, and a new negotiation round was held with the Taliban in Doha. In parallel, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was released from prison to lead the group’s office in Doha and represent it in negotiations.
- July 2019: Doha hosted an intra-Afghan dialogue under the auspices of Germany. About 60 Afghan figures from various backgrounds participated in the talks, along with 17 members of the Taliban, with the aim of achieving comprehensive national reconciliation. The dialogue went parallel to a new round of negotiations between the Taliban and the US with the supervision of Khalilzad.
- December 2019: Peace talks resumed in Doha months after negotiations were suspended by former US President Donald Trump, as the US attempted to reach practical solutions to end the war.
- February 2020: A peace agreement, described as historic, was signed in Doha between the Taliban and Washington. The deal sought to put an end to the war that lasted then for 19 years. It was an agreement that former President Trump described as “pivotal” and came after a “difficult journey for everyone” in Afghanistan.
- September 2020: Negotiations began again between the Taliban and Afghanistan in Qatar.
- August 10, 2021: The International Conference on Afghanistan was held in Doha with the aim of assessing the status of negotiations between the Afghan parties, exchanging views between the negotiators, and thinking about the contributions that the international community can make to facilitate the success of the peace process. The conference was attended by representatives of the US, the UK, Qatar, China, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, the UN, and the EU. Participants expressed support and gratitude for Qatar and its efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan.
- August 14, 2021: Qatar’s FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the Taliban’s political office. At the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed urged the Taliban to de-escalate and contribute to accelerating efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement that would ensure a prosperous future for the state and the people of Afghanistan. The two parties met again on August 17 to complete the talks.
These stages highlight the significance of the Qatari role in mediation over the years, and Qatar’s success in bringing the negotiations to suitable solutions for all parties. Qatar’s foreign policy is revealed here as one based on the principle of promoting international peace and security, encouraging conflict resolution, and cooperating with countries seeking peace.
