SPLM-N Hilu, Democratic Bloc call for national consensus in Sudan

February 23, 2023 (JUBA) – The SPLM-N led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, and the Democratic Bloc of Gaffar al-Mirghani,  on Thursday, called for the achievement of a national consensus ensuring the formation of a transitional government in Sudan.

Al-Hilu and al-Mirghani signed a political declaration in Juba dealing with the political crisis and the need to rebuild the Sudanese state on a new basis, including separation between the state and religion, decentralized government, and social justice.

“The two parties thoroughly discussed the current political situation and agreed on the need for national consensus paving the way toward the formation of a civilian government that contributes positively to advancing the peace process and its sustainability by addressing the root causes of the Sudanese crisis,” reads the declaration.

The document stressed that the transitional period should be a platform for restructuring and building the Sudanese state on new foundations and drafting a permanent constitution based on “supra-constitutional principles”.

The SPLM-N al-Hilu signed similar political declarations with most of the political forces, including the Democratic Unionist Party, of a-Mirghani and the National Umma Party but this is the first time they ink such a deal with a coalition that backed the military coup in Sudan.

The Democratic Bloc rejects the framework agreement and calls for an inclusive process gathering all the parties.

The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW), which is also based in Juba, issued a statement dismissing reports about a meeting with the delegation of the Democratic Bloc.

“This report is completely inaccurate. The Movement has no contact with the so-called Democratic Bloc or other entities that seek to conclude a settlement with the military. It did not and will not meet with them,” said the holdout group.

The SLM-AW adheres to the goals of the revolution, overthrowing the coup, forming an entirely civilian transitional government of independent personalities, and conducting a Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue inside the homeland, further stressed the statement.

(ST)