In Baghdad, the government is preparing an offensive to retake Mosul from the Islamic State and is under pressure to root out corruption and find the money to fund basic services.
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After a bitterly fought presidential election in 2014, Ghani and Abdullah share power in a national unity government that Kerry helped negotiate.
“It’s at the 18-month mark in a five-year term”, he said.
The country’s defence minister and intelligence chief are all acting in their posts because they haven’t been confirmed by parliament, and several other ministers have resigned.
During his visit, Kerry warned their infighting could paralyze the country and dampen the confidence of the worldwide community.
Afghan polls show dissatisfaction with the government led by Ghani and Abduallah, who have been locked in a power struggle over key appointments.
“No doubt there have been challenges… both in terms of politics, but also in terms of the resilience of the Taliban”. Another meeting is also scheduled this October in Brussels to review development aid to Afghanistan.
“Democracy requires credible institutions”, Kerry said.
Ghani thanked Kerry and the American people for their commitment to Afghanistan.
Kerry called on the Taliban to re-engage in peace talks dormant for nearly a year, and said there was no change now in President Barack Obama’s plans for troop levels in Afghanistan. Kerry mentioned that when he came to Afghanistan as a senator 14 years ago, almost all the children in school were boys.
Afghanistan is gripped by insecurity 15 years after the United States and its allies attacked the country as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. Progress on that front “assures us there will be fundamental, comprehensive reforms”, Ghani said through an interpreter.
A four-way group, comprising Afghan, Chinese, US and Pakistani diplomats formed to assist the process, had hoped that direct talks could be revived by the start of March, even as fighting remained in full swing across the country. The two sides met last summer, but the talks were stymied following the announcement of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar. The US has slowly backed away from its counterinsurgency campaign, and provinces in the poppy-producing Helmand province, a longtime Taliban stronghold, have continued to fall to the militant group.
The Taliban have stepped up their insurgency since most foreign troops withdrew from Afghanistan at the end of 2014, although Kabul has enjoyed a period of relative calm during the harsh winter months.
“We ourselves here don’t view that there is going to be an end…in September”, a senior U.S. official said on the condition of anonymity.
Adding to the sense of urgency is the prospect of a dwindling USA military presence.
Mr. Ghani thanked the USA for supporting efforts to combat the Taliban and terrorism.
The United States has spent some $68 billion to build and train the Afghan army as well as the police force.
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Despite the concerns voiced by Kerry, U.S. officials maintain that Afghanistan has made strides since the U.S. invasion in 2001. Still, they underscore once again the Taliban’s ability to hit targets virtually anywhere, and on short notice.
