Khartoum blocks the peace process with new unacceptable terms: NDA

NAIROBI, March 18, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — With the stumbling peace talks on the issues of Abyie, Southern Blue Nile, and Nuba Mountains’ wealth and power sharing and the government freeze on Jeddah Agreement with the NDA, a new blockage is seriously raised by the Khartoum government “final paper” to the negotiating partner.

Reliable sources in the NDA democratic opposition confirmed leaked news that the ruling regime wants to retain 51% of the National Council’s parliamentary seats besides half of the Cabinet major ministries, which leaves only marginal say to the other partners, collectively, in government decision making.

The government final paper insists on the procession of early elections in the Interim Period, which would enable 15-years’ military ruler Omer al-Bashir and his NIF-ruling group to stay in power for another term with no competition. Moreover, the source affirmed NDA’s rejection of the government wish to allow the president full powers to select presidential deputies.

“These are national issues that cannot be passed without real participation of the major political forces in the peace process,” the source affirmed.