U.S. ambassador calls on non-signatories to join Sudan political process
January 13, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – U.S. Ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey, called on the holdout groups to join the framework agreement in order to restore a civilian transitional government ending the October 25, 2021 coup.
On Friday Godfrey issued welcomed the launch of the final phase of the political process in Sudan. He also hailed the involvement of women and representatives of different regions in the conference on the dismantlement of the former regime.
He further called on the non-signatory groups to join the “Sudanese-led” process which will pave the way for the resumption of international economic support to the country.
“We urge all parties to engage in good faith dialogue and to ensure that women, youth, and representatives from all over Sudan participate in shaping their country’s future,” said the U.S. diplomat
“The door remains open for non-signatories to the framework agreement to participate in the process,” he stressed.
The U.S. QUAD group supported the efforts of the Trilateral Mechanism to facilitate the process. Also, they held a series of meeting with the military component, and political groups including Darfur groups that refuse to join the process to convince them to participate in the discussions.
Recently, the non-signatory welcomed an Egyptian call to hold talks in Cairo.
Minni Minnawi; leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, saying they believe that this call “will contribute to bring positions closer and remove artificial differences”.
However, the signatory political forces declined the call and urged Egypt to persuade the non-signatories to join the process.
Besides the two Darfur groups that refuse to join the political process, there are the Sudanese Communist Party and the Baath factions.
The Forces for Freedom and Change say they are keen to bring into the process the SLM of Minni Minnawi and the Justice and Equality Movement led by Girbril Ibrahim because they are signatories of the Juba peace agreement.
(ST)