October 16, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — A splinter faction of the Democratic Unionist Party said that they discuss with the Sudanese opposition parties a political agreement they reached with the rebel groups calling to forge a broader alliance in the country.

The Unionist Movement (UM) which is a member of the opposition umbrella, National Consensus Forces (NCF), signed a memorandum of understanding with the rebel alliance Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) in the Ugandan capital Kampala on 9 October.

Inked on 9 October by Malik Agar, SRF leader and Sidiq Al-Hindi for the UM, the deal says that Sudan’s unity cannot be persevered without regime change in Sudan and the establishment of a democratic and liberal system in the country.

Speaking in a press conference held in Khartoum, Abu Al-Hassan Farah, a UM leading member and one of those who negotiated the deal, told reporters they informed the opposition forces about the content of memorandum and they are discussing it with all the NCF members.

He went to say that they are determined to topple the regime peacefully in line with the programme of the opposition alliance. He stressed they are not a mediator between the government and the SRF rebels to settle the conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan but they share the same goal with them: removal of the NCP’s regime.

He further said that the agreement they signed paves the way for the unity of opposition forces inside and outside the country.

The memorandum provides that the Unionist Movement will transmit the desire of the rebel groups to unify their action with the NCF and the other opposition forces, as regime change implies an agreement between the opposition forces over an alternative political programme.

They also agreed on the need to enhance contacts and to work together to hold a political comprehensive conference for all the components of the political and armed Sudanese opposition.

In December 2011, the Sudanese security forces arrested a delegation of the opposition Popular Congress Party upon their return to Khartoum from South Sudan and Uganda where they met with the rebel groups.

Also last August, Vice-President Al Haj Adam Youssef slammed Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi for travelling to Kamala and holding meetings with the rebel groups there and threatened to arrest her.

Commenting on the press conference, NCP spokesperson, on Tuesday minimised the move saying nation’s efforts should be dedicated to reconciliation after the cooperation agreement signed with South Sudan last September.

"Logic currently pushes to strengthen the (cooperation) agreement with the South Sudan and then to pay attention to domestic issues," he further said.

He pointed out that political forces have the right to seek regime change in accordance with the constitution and laws.

However, He called on the opposition to prepare for the general elections which will be held within two years, emphasising it would be better than wasting their time on useless arrangements.

(ST)