State Ministry for Peace

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|

Afghan government ministry responsible for peace process

State Ministry for Peace

Agency overview
Formed| 2019 (2019)
Dissolved| 26 December 2021
Type| Peace process
Jurisdiction| Afghanistan
Headquarters| Kabul
Minister responsible|

* Sadat Mansoor Naderi[1]

Agency executive|

* Khushnood Nabizada[2], Chief of Staff

Website| smp.gov.af/en

State Ministry for Peace Affairs, officially known as State Ministry for Peace (SMP) was an Afghan government ministry responsible for peace process focused on to end ongoing wars in Afghanistan diplomatically.[3] Founded in July 2019 by the government of Afghanistan, it advocated peace negotiations and future political stability in the country. SMP ministry was tasked with various drivers such as monitoring Afghanistan conflict and carrying negotiations with those individuals, groups and organisations involving Afghan war and Taliban insurgency in particular.

It also worked with United Nations, United States Agency for International Development, and World Bank for economic development in the country. It is engaged in community development programmes through various platforms such as Community Development Councils and citizen charter program to achieve pre-determined goals focused on economic, community and peace development.[4]

Following the fall of Kabul and the reinstatement of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Ministry was disbanded on 26 December 2021.[5]

## History[edit]

Prior to SMP, the peace process was tasked to Afghan High Peace Council that worked for over ten years from 2010 until it was dissolved in 2019 following SMP's formation.[6]

State Ministry for Peace was heavily engaged into the administration and coordination of the processes between the Doha negotiating team, President Ashraf Ghani's office and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah's office at the High Council for National Reconciliation. Taliban was constantly launching incidents to interrupt peace process, including, targeting to assassinate Khushnood Nabizada, Chief of Staff to SMP on February 1, 2021 in Kabul, while he was on his way from home to the office. [7]

Consisting of 21 members of negotiating team within the ministry, including five women, it represented Afghan government diplomatically while opponents members represents Taliban under peace deal signed by the US and Taliban.[8]

Following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, the Ministry was disbanded by the new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on 26 December 2021.[9]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Afghanistan's new State Minister for Peace officially assumed office". Khaama Press. 3 September 2020.
2. ^ "Khushnood Nabizada's bio". Afghan Bio Database by CIA. 16 February 2024.
3. ^ "SMP Introduces Newly Appointed Heads, Advisers of State Ministry for Peace". AvaPress | Breaking Updated news and Latest headlines from Afghanistan.
4. ^ "Q&A: The new Afghan Peace Ministry's role in conflict resolution". Devex. 28 January 2020.
5. ^ "Taliban-run Government Dissolves Afghan Election Commissions". Bloomberg News. 26 December 2021.
6. ^ "Afghan govt dissolves High Peace Council's secretariat". Business Standard India. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
7. ^ "Blast Hits Vehicle of State Ministry for Peace Affairs Official". TOLOnews. 16 February 2024.
8. ^ "Afghan government unveils negotiating team for Taliban talks". Arab News. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
9. ^ "Taliban-run Government Dissolves Afghan Election Commissions". Bloomberg News. 26 December 2021.

## External links[edit]

* Official website