SPLM-N’s al-Hilu seeks specific talks before joining Sudan’s anti-war coalition

February 3, 2024 – (JUBA) – Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), has requested focused discussions with the Tagadum coalition of civilian groups before considering joining their efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The Tagadum delegation, led by Omer al-Digair, on Friday, met with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to share their vision for peace and the formation of a civilian transitional government. They also sought a meeting with al-Hilu to urge his armed group to join their anti-war coalition.

However, instead of agreeing to an immediate meeting, al-Hilu proposed forming a joint committee to address specific issues concerning national identity, the relationship between religion and state, and the January 2nd joint declaration signed by Taqaddum and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Addis Ababa.

He suggested that a meeting with the coalition could follow after reaching an agreement on these key points.

The proposal reflects the SPLM-N’s long-standing demand for a secular state in Sudan, abolishing the Islamic law implemented in 1983.

Under the previous civilian government led by Abdallah Hamdok, both pro-democracy forces and the SPLM-N agreed on the necessity of separating religion and state.

Additionally, in March 2021, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the military-led Sovereign Council and al-Hilu signed a declaration of principles guaranteeing religious freedom and the separation of religion and state. However, subsequent talks stalled as the military component of the transitional government rejected several of the SPLM-N’s demands.

The Tagaddam delegation also plans to meet with Sudan Liberation Movement leader Abdel Wahid al-Nur, who is also based in Juba.

(ST)