Sudan ex-PM acknowledges failure of his agreement with NCP

December 21, 2008 (KHARTOUM) –The leader of the largest Northern opposition party in Sudan acknowledged for the first time that an agreement he signed with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) last May has failed.

The Umma party led by Sadiq al-Mahdi and the NCP signed an agreement known as “National Reconciliation Agreement” which largely outlines a number of fundamental principles that both sides share the same views on.

“We tried to reach a comprehensive consensus through National Reconciliation Agreement and then the People of Sudan initiative” Al-Mahdi told his followers during weekly Friday prayers.

“In both cases the hawks inside the regime and within the opposition have killed it” the former prime minister added.

This is the first time Al-Mahdi makes such remarks on both initiatives he staunchly defended.

The “National Reconciliation Agreement” has come under fire from other opposition parties who viewed it as a step towards a political alliance between the NCP and the Umma party, something which Al-Mahdi has strongly denied.

At the time AL-Mahdi blasted other opposition parties and advised them to join the agreements “before it is too late”.

“I can safely say that the fears of those who did not attend the forum and parties opposed to it were not real” Al-Mahdi said in an interview with the Kuwaiti daily Al-Jarida last October.

“They had three concerns…that this gathering is of face value with no mandate…that any resolution would be passed automatically by the NCP majority…that the forum was held for the sake of the NCP. All their reservations are meaningless now” he added.

The ‘People of Sudan initiative’ was launched in October aimed primarily at setting out a national vision towards the end of the Darfur conflict where more than 300,000 people were killed since 2003.

Despite stiff opposition from senior figures within the Umma Party Al-Mahdi took part in the initiative which was boycotted by other parties and Darfur rebel groups.

Last month Adam Madibo who is the deputy Umma party leader submitted his resignation for what is believed is his dissatisfaction on the decision making process within the party.

On the indictment of Al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Al-Mahdi predicted that an arrest warrant will be issued shortly.

The Umma party chief said he took part in a forum that included other Sudanese political parties as well as representatives from US, UK, France and the deputy prosecutor of the ICC.

Al-Mahdi said that “serious discussions” took place on the issue of justice during conflicts but added that he will not disclose the contents of the forum.

“What is important that it is expected that the ICC will request the arrest of the Sudanese head of state…This will have serious security, political and diplomatic implications so what will we do?” he asked.

“We established a special committee to deliberate on what should be done and will be reviewed by the party bureaus to make a decision it” Al-Mahdi added.

The former prime minister reiterated his call for roundtable conference that includes all political powers in the country “with no preexisting partisan agenda”.

In mid-July the ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced that he is seeking an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir.

The ICC’s prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo filed 10 charges: three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder.

The opposition leader has previously been one of the supporters of the ICC. However following the indictment of Al-Bashir he appeared to have shifted his position.

Al-Mahdi was ousted as prime minister in a bloodless military coup in 1989 by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and has been one of the most outspoken critics of the government ever since. However lately he has taken a more favorable position towards the government saying the latter became more accepting of other political parties.

(ST)