58 parties agree to take part in Sudan’s national dialogue: NCP
March 30, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has announced that 58 parties agreed to take part in the national dialogue in order to reach a consensual vision among all political forces to resolve the country’s crises.
The NCP reiterated its call for the opposition forces and rebel groups to join the national process, saying any party which refuses to engage in the dialogue would only isolate itself.
The PCP deputy chairman and presidential assistant, Ibrahim Ghandour, who addressed the 15th states’ forum in Khartoum on Sunday, underscored his party’s keenness on the participation of all political parties and rebel groups in the dialogue in order to agree on a formula for governing the country in the coming period.
He affirmed the NCP’s commitment to engage in a comprehensive dialogue to discuss all issues without exception.
“We want a transparent dialogue that doesn’t take place behind closed doors. We will discuss all issues in order to arrive at a roadmap and pledge to implement it”, he said.
Ghandour affirmed that 58 political parties have agreed to put the dialogue among its priorities, noting that few but important parties rejected the government’s call for dialogue.
He further called upon rebel groups in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile to resolve their issues through negotiations, saying they hold arms against their own people not the government or the state.
“We have to settle our differences through discussion and then resort to the Sudanese people to select the right party and agree that the country accommodates its entire population”, he said.
The NCP official further asserted that time has come to stop civil wars which begun since before Sudan’s independence in 1956, adding that wars are fuelled by foreign conspiracies and domestic divisions besides personal interests.
“I am afraid that Sudan itself will become the victim of these wars”, he added
The NCP secretary of political communication and investment minister, Mustafa Osman Ismail, for his part stressed the dialogue process was delayed because the NCP is keen to engage all political parties.
“We hope that all political parties take part in the dialogue and those who refuse to join could catch up at a later stage”, he added.
In a televised address to the nation late last January, the Sudanese president announced a four-point plan for reform “to stop the war and bring peace, free political society, fight against poverty and revitalise national identity”.
He further called for political forces and even rebel groups should they lay down arms to engage in dialogue to agree on the implementation items to achieve these objectives.
(ST)