Kabul, Sep 24 (UNI) Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has cautioned against taking 'synthetic steps' against
terrorism and stressed the need for addressing its root cause.
Addressing the 75th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday night, he said
Afghanistan is currently up against the 5th wave of global terrorism in which terrorists are closely linked with
global criminal networks which makes ensuring peace even more challenging.
"We are living, dying inside the 5th wave of global terrorism in which global terrorist networks are closely linked with global criminal networks, making warfare totally unconventional and peace-building even more of
a challenge, violence and warfare have also evolved--an evolution we Afghans have witnessed and suffered in
real time," he said.
He cautioned against 'synthetic steps' to combat terrorism and stressed the need for addressing its root cause 'We must get to the root of the terrorism blighting our region and address it as the global phenomenon and threat that it is."
Mr Ghani made a forceful call for a ceasefire in the country calling it an 'urgent priority.' 'The Afghan people have a clear and urgent priority: a ceasefire. An urgent end to the violence will more than anything else give us
a chance to progress".
President Ghani pointed out his government's and Afghan society's initiatives towards peace including reaching out to the Taliban for talks. "We have demonstrated the commitment, compassion and courage to take hard decisions to start direct peace talks with the Taliban."
Pointing out that the UN's role "is absolutely critical" throughout the peace process and for shared values, he thanked the United Nations for their support so far throughout this arduous process. 'We thank the UN for their call for a global ceasefire."
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