Opposition’s JPF resumes participation in Sudan’s dialogue process
June 26, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The opposition Just Peace Forum (JPF) led al-Tayeb Mustafa announced the resumption of its participation in the national dialogue process without preconditions.
Previously the National Umma Party (NUP) distanced itself from the dialogue process after the arrest of its leader Sadiq al-Mahdi in May 2014. The opposition party demanded to create the right political environment for the conduct of the process, and to include rebel groups.
In statements to the pro-government media SMC, Mustafa who is the uncle of president Omer al-Bashir said the JPF decided to terminate the suspension of its participation in the national dialogue and return to the dialogue table without conditions, in accordance with the African Union road map and the Addis Ababa agreement.
“We decided to return to the table of national dialogue when it resumes, as the reasons for the suspension of the suspension in the President’s initiative no longer exist,” he said.
Mustafa revealed he is conducting intense contacts to persuade the holdout forces to engage in the comprehensive national dialogue process.
Last week, the Reform Now Movement (RNM) said its return to the government-led national dialogue is contingent upon the creation of a conducive climate , allowing freedoms, cancelling arbitrary measures, and guaranteeing freedom of press.
The JPF leader said the government has requested to provide real concessions to the opposition in order to reach a negotiated peace agreement or democratic reforms.
He stressed that the dialogue has become a strategic choice, adding that they reached understandings to resume the dialogue from the point where it stopped.
He explained that he had no alternative but the comprehensive dialogue which excludes no one. He indicated that the JPF will mediate between the government and the forces that reject dialogue to bridge the gap between them, calling on the rebel movements and holdout political parties to listen to the voice of reason.
Last week, Sudanese government officials told a visiting German delegation they are preparing to resume the dialogue process next July after the end of Ramadan.
(ST)