Presidential advisor details future stages if peace is achieved
BBC Monitoring Middle East
By Sudanese radio
KHARTOUM, Oct. 11, 2003 — The presidential peace advisor, Dr Ghazi Salah-al-Din, has said the forthcoming round of talks demands concerted efforts both internally and externally so that the peace process can achieve the required goals. He said the government will work towards the formation of a broad-based government by involving [political] leaders.
He said this at a press conference held a few hours ago by the peace secretariat. He further said:
“When peace is realized there will definitely be a give and take, and [word indistinct] in the political arena, which will reorganize Sudan’s political field for better, and God willing, lead towards more unity, and further breakthroughs in future.
“We shall be able to discover national priorities, in line with what are termed as divergent but complementary issues, so as to establish a common foundation. Due to this I think this step is a preamble on what is to come. As you know, as per our past agreements, we have nearly four stages which will define the structure of Sudan, and in conformity with democratic reforms, as it is known.
First of all, is to form a broad-based government, and I would like to stop there and the reason is that is not for discussion [word indistinct], because the issue has its special forum. However, in general, there are four levels ahead of us which are very important to complete the future structure of Sudan.
“Secondly, there will be the process of reviewing the constitution, as we approved in the Machakos Protocol, and you are very aware this process is appropriate as it will provide a positive political venue and political aspirations, leading to an approved constitutional document, agreed upon by the Sudanese people. The second stage is very important.
“The third stage is the reconstruction of a future Sudan, this will be the election stage. As you know, that after a while we expect to conduct elections gradually, maybe from one level to another, in the first three years, or as will be agreed between the two sides. In any case there will be an election, a very important stage to form a political reality.
“We expect political parties on their part to do their best in availing themselves and do their best in the formation of political unity. This is because without them we shall not be able to strengthen our peace ambitions, and realize results.
“The fourth and the final stage will be the referendum after six and half years [of transitional period]. Despite the fact the referendum is meant for southern Sudan, an issue basically linked to southern Sudan, we shall not forget that as a political issue, it will demand and [word indistinct] stance and positions from various political parties, whether in north or south..