AU welcomes meeting between Sudan dialogue body, rebel groups
November 7, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – The head of the African Union commission welcomed a meeting between the national dialogue committee and rebel groups to be held in Addis Ababa this month.
The AUHIP delegation led by Thabo Mbeki met with the Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir and senior government officials, national dialogue high committee known as 7+7 and opposition umbrella National Consensus Forces as well as civil society groups.
Zuma commended the national dialogue general assembly for “endorsing the proposal to convene the 7+7 Steering Committee with the armed movements at the AU Commission, in Addis Ababa, during the month of November 2014,” says the statement.
The meeting aims to brief the rebels of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) on the national dialogue process, including presenting them with all documents related to the process agreed by the forces participating in the internal operation.
“This is intended to create an enabling environment and building trust between the parties involved,” said Zuma. She further underscored that “this meeting is designed to achieve the strategic principle of inclusivity that should facilitate ownership of the process by all Sudanese”.
The head of the African Union commission hailed AUHIP for sharing “the concerns of the opposition parties and civil society groups with the 7+7 Steering Committee”.
The opposition National Consensus Forces and the National Umma Party which are not part of the process demand to ensure political freedoms, postpone the 2015 elections, release of political detainees and inclusion of rebel groups.
In this regard, the 7+7 Steering Committee agreed to develop a methodology that ensures timely sharing of critical information with the Sudanese nation, including through regular interactions with all Sudanese stakeholders.
The south African diplomat also welcomed “the commitment expressed by the Government of Sudan that negotiations on cessation of hostilities, immediately leading to a comprehensive security arrangements agreement, shall resume on 12 and 22 November, in Addis Ababa, with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM/N) and the Darfur movements, respectively”.
In line with a peace plan adopted by the African Union Peace and Security Council, the mediation should organisation an inclusive conference at the premises of the African Union to discuss a framework agreement on the dialogue process.
Khartoum said all the process should end before the date of general elections scheduled for April 2015.
(ST)