Turabi’s PCP declines to take part in pre-dialogue meeting
March 24, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) declined to take part in the national dialogue preparatory meeting saying they reject any foreign involvement in the process, but asserted its support to the efforts of African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).
The meeting, which is part of an African Union roadmap aiming to facilitate a comprehensive political settlement to issues of war and democratic reforms, comes one month after a meeting sponsored by the German government where political and armed opposition forces accepted to take part in this consultations meeting.
PCP external relations official, Bashir Adam Rahama, confirmed to Sudan Tribune the receipt of an invitation to participate in the pre-dialogue meeting, and disclosed they would not participate these consultations which will be held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The Popular Congress’s position is based on “the principle of rejection of any dialogue abroad,” said Rahama. “But if the Addis forum paves the way for the internal dialogue arrangements and contributes to breaking the barrier of mistrust, we accept it,” he added.
He went further to explain that foreign intervention didn’t produce successful solutions in Sudan, pointing to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which led to the separation of South Sudan and the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur which failed to end the conflict in Darfur, according to Rahama.
The PCP is among the first political forces to approve the call for the national dialogue initiated by president Omer al-Bashir in January 2014. Also, the lslamist party is the only significant political force that didn’t suspend its participation in the process, as three others including the National Umma Party, the Reform Now Movement, and the Just Peace Forum distanced themselves asking to create a conducive environment in the country.
The PCP official didn’t rule out that his party sends representatives Addis Ababa to persuade the rebel groups to participate in the political process which should be held inside the country, and to facilitate the discussions.
“But certainly we will not be inside the meeting room,” he said.
He underscored the need to involve the leaders of armed groups personally in Addis Ababa meeting instead of delegating some people, adding they would make this proposition to the AUHIP in order to avoid any setback in the preparatory consultations.
The African Union mediation said the discussions will be based on the roadmap for the national dialogue approved by the general assembly of political parties in Khartoum on 9 August 2014, the 5 September Addis Ababa agreement on the national dialogue and constitutional process; and the communiqué of the 456th meeting of the AUPSC on 12 September 2014.
PCP’S POSITION ON NATIONAL DIALOGUE
Rahama said his party sticks to the national dialogue as a safe outlet to address Sudan’s crises.
“Any other option would pave the road for foreign intervention, military coup or the country’s somalisation if the [rebel] Sudanese Revolutionary Front intervenes [militarily] … and if we wager on the [popular] protests as we saw what happened in September 2013” when the Sudanese security forces killed over 200 peaceful protesters.
Also he reiterated the PCP will not participate in the upcoming elections next month, but at the same time will not support the “Leave” campaign launched by the opposition parties.
“The National Congress Party is part of the solution to the crisis. How we demand its departure,” he said.
This is the first time that a leading member in the Islamist party explains publicly their unconditional support for the national dialogue.
TROIKA WELCOMES MEETING
The US, UK and Norway issued on Tuesday a joint statement welcoming the preparatory meeting which will gather for the first time the government and the opposition forces to discuss the organisation of an inclusive conference to reach a representative political system, and to confront fundamental issues of governance, political inclusiveness, resource sharing, identity, and social equality.
“To this end, we welcome recent pledges by the Government of Sudan and Sudanese opposition and civil society groups of their readiness to participate in a “pre-dialogue” meeting without conditions. We furthermore welcome the convening of this “pre-dialogue” planned for 29-30 March, under the auspices of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel,” said the joint statement..
The Troika countries called to create an environment necessary to deliver a genuine, holistic, and inclusive dialogue.
“We will continue to follow the process closely, and stand ready to work with those who seek to advance meaningful reforms that can bring about peace and stability for all the people of Sudan,” they said.
(ST)
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