Sudan’s FFC, trilateral panel discuss criticism of AU envoy for separate meetings

June 23, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The Forces for Freedom and Changes (FFC) and the trilateral facilitation panel Thursday discussed the public criticism made by the African Union (AU) representative for their separate meetings with the military component.

Mohamed Belaiche on Tuesday slammed the meetings between the two main rivals in Sudan and announced the suspension of AU participation in the Trilateral Mechanism. The meetings were part of efforts by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to convince the FFC to join the process facilitated by the African Union, IGAD and UNITAMS.

In a statement released on Thursday, the FFC said they held a meeting with the UNITAMS Head Volker Perthes, IGAD Special Envoy Ismail Wais and the AU Representative in Sudan Mohamed Belaiche at the premises of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP).

The FFC said they reiterated their commitment to work with the tripartite panel to reach a political solution ensuring the end of the coup and restoring a full civilian authority in Sudan.

Also, “There was a frank and transparent discussion about the statements made by one of the parties to the Trilateral Mechanism reported in the media two days ago.” added the statement.

The statement did not elaborate on what they said about Belaiche’s ststaement or his explanations.

Belaiche already issued a short statement on June 22 denying the suspension of his participation in the trilateral mechanism.

He further stated he only would not participate in some activities that lack transparency, respect for all parties and commitment to an inclusive political process, according to the statement.

Belaiche seemed angered more by the presence of the UNITAMS head alone without him and the AU Special Envoy Mohamed el-Hacen Ould Lebatt.

The Trilateral Mechanism released a short statement saying that the meeting “discussed the political process and the prospects for a solution”.

The FFC and the three-body facilitation panel diverge over who is eligible to participate in the process and at which level.

The formerly ruling political coalition and the Sudanese Revolutionary Front call to limit the participation of the allies of the ousted Gen Omer al-Bashir in the constitutional conference and elections.

The military component and its allies of the National Consensus coalition call for their involvement in the discussions about the formation of the government and the legislative council also.

(ST)