SPLM-N leader urges AU to consider role of opposition in Sudan peace process
January 5, 2015 (KAHRTOUM) – The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Monday called on the African Union mediation to consider the role of the Sudanese opposition forces in order to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Sudan.
Also, Agar said the coalition of rebel groups Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), he chairs, worked hard to create the conducive environment for this comprehensive settlement pointing to the various deals and declarations signed with the opposition forces including Paris Declaration and Sudan Call.
The SPLM-N leader further praised the efforts of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) for peace in Sudan, “even if progress has been below expectations”.
“Nevertheless, we reiterate that when the contributions of opposition parties (…) are ignored this will pave the way to thwart these efforts and prevent it from achieving its purpose which is the comprehensive peace,” he said.
Delegations from the Sudanese government and SPLM-N are expected to resume peace talks within the upcoming weeks in Addis Ababa.
The discussions on a framework agreement for the peace negotiations are stalled over ways to link between the process on the Blue Nile and South Kordofan with the national dialogue process.
Also, Darfur track of the bicameral process seems threatened with collapse as the government Sunday integrated the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in the constitution, rejecting definitively rebels demand to open it for discussions.
Agar in his 13 page letter further has set four conditions saying a viable peace process should meet.
First the talks should take in account participativeness, inclusiveness and avoid partial solutions. Secondly, the process must begins with a cessation of hostilities agreement in Darfur and the Two Areas, followed by a humanitarian access to the civilians in the rebel held areas. Thirdly, the discussions should address the root causes of the conflict. Finally the security arrangements should end the war definitively.
The rebel leader more than once repeated that the NCP is not willing to achieve peace but seeks only to impose its hegemony and to establish an Islamic state in Sudan.
He also defended a call for self-rule for the Two Areas by the SPLM-N secretary general Yasir Arman saying that during the interim period from 2005 to 2011 and in line with the 2005 peace agreement South Kordofan and Blue Nile had a special administrative status.
“Self-governance is not a synonym for secession as some like to spread. This is a pure propaganda. Our position is to demand self-governance within a united Sudan” Agar said the former governor of Blue Nile state, adding “the issue is feasible”.
(ST)