SPLM-N says received invitation for new round of informal talks
January 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) said it has received an invitation from the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to resume informal discussions with the Sudanese government.
In a bid to bridges the gaps, AUHIP organized a three-day round of informal talks between the two sides from 16 to 18 December where the two sides debated on how to overcome their differences and agreed to hold another meeting.
In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, SPLM-N peace file spokesperson Mubarak Ardol welcomed the invitation and expressed readiness to take part in the meeting saying that peace is a strategic choice for his movement.
He added the SPLM-N is holding consultations with its political and civil society allies pertaining to the informal talks, saying the movement has no intentions to participate in the ongoing dialogue conference in Khartoum.
“SPLM-N would [only] participate in a dialogue that is being held on equal terms according to an agreed upon preparations including stopping the war, delivering humanitarian assistance and allowing freedoms and with the participation of the opposition forces in order to achieve comprehensive peace,” he added.
Meanwhile, a member of the government team to the previous round of informal talks told Sudan Tribune that he is not aware of any invitation extended to the government to resume the discussions but said they would likely receive it within hours.
GOVERNMENT ARMY BUILD UP
However, Ardol further said the government is preparing to launch a major attack in South Kordofan, pointing to large government army build up in four war zones including the north-east zone of Abbasia and Rashad areas, the south-west zone of Al-Khairasana-Troje-Fama and Buhairat al-Abyad and the two zones of Kadugli and Taloudi.
He underscored that the SPLM-N is ready to engage in the dialogue and also capable of repulsing the regime attack as it has repelled attacks against its positions in the Blue Nile during the past two months.
“We are not afraid of the [government] summer campaign which is ongoing in the Blue Nile and is about to begin in South Kordofan except it would inflict harm on the civilians as is the case in town of Al-Abbasia [in South Kordofan]. The regime should to stop the war instead of seeking escalation because it wouldn’t achieve a military victory that it failed to achieve during the five past years,” he added.
Last October, the SPLM-N said it put its army on high alert to defend its positions in the Two Areas, citing preparations by the Sudanese government army to launch a new summer military camp.
The Sudanese army has been fighting SPLM-N rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan since 2011.
(ST)