Outgoing U.S. commander Lt. Col. Nicholson Jr. in his farewell address Sunday said it was time for the war in Afghanistan to end, The New York Times reported.

The commander of U.S. and NATO forces for the last 31 months also called on the Taliban to “stop killing your fellow Afghans” and then referred indirectly to regional powers such as Pakistan, where the insurgents enjoy sanctuary, by asking “Whose voices are important? The outsiders who are encouraging you to fight, or the voices of your own people who are encouraging you to peace?”

The general’s departure comes as civilian deaths are at all-time highs in the 17-year war, despite a temporary ceasefire agreed to earlier this year by the warring sides in Afghanistan, according to The Hill.

Despite the continued fighting, the war has receded from public attention in the United States, as demonstrated by the fact that Nicholson did not meet even once with President Donald Trump in the 20 months since the inauguration, the Times reported.

Trump announced last year that American forces would remain in the country after campaigning on a promise to pull troops out of Afghanistan, according to The Hill. The president also abandoned a timetable for withdrawal and loosened some rules of engagement.

Nicholson will be replaced by Gen. Austin Scott Miller, who left the Joint Special Operations Command to take on the war effort of a coalition to which 41 nations contribute.

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