SPLM-N proposes to hold AU brokered constitutional conference

March 27, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan people’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) announced its readiness for direct talks with Khartoum and proposed to hold a constitutional conference brokered by the African mediation.

Sudanese government accepted to hold direct talks with the SPLM-N rebels saying the implementation of security arrangements with the South Sudan and its disengagement with the latter allow such move.

However government officials said the negotiations would tackle issues related to the implementation of a protocol included in the 2005 peace agreement on the status of Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. Khartoum says the disarmament of the rebel fighters and the organisation of a popular consultation should top the agenda of talks.

SPLM-N Secretary General, Yasir Arman, said in a statement released on Wednesday that the African Union brokered direct negotiations will be held on the basis of UN Security Council (UNSC) and African Union resolutions and the 28 June 2011 framework agreement.

Arman went further to accuse the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of aiming to undermine AU and UNSC decisions and to separate between the resolution of conflict and restoration of democracy in Sudan.

The rebel leader emphasised that the “June 28, 2011 Agreement stated the need for an inclusive constitutional process” and proposed to hold “a national constitutional conference for all political forces and civil society members with the presence of regional and international organizations and through the AUHIP and its Chairperson, Thabo Mbeki , and the Chair of IGAD (…)”.

He added that the purpose of this conference is to “agree on a new constitution and to hold democratic elections with international observers”.

The alliance of Sudanese opposition inside the country, National Consensus Forces (NCF) Wednesday reacted to the call by the first vice president Ali Osman Taha to hold a national dialogue, saying the restoration of freedoms should precede such process.

NCF spokesperson Kamal Omer called on the government to show seriousness and to take a series of measures including freedom of the press, political activities, and the formation of a national transitional government.

Arman whose initiative includes a similar clause on the freedoms , also proposed a cessation of hostilities in Darfur like what will be implemented in the Two areas.

Khartoum refuses to form a transitional government before the constitutional conference. It also says Darfur rebels have a different forum hosted by the State of Qatar and governed by a framework document for peace in Darfur.

(ST)