Sudanese president upbeat on progress of national dialogue

April 7, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir has said the outcome of the political roundtable he held on Sunday with political forces was positive noting it developed constructive ideas, views and suggestions.

Bashir, who addressed the opening of a new parliamentary session on Monday, pledged to continue calling for national dialogue that leads to absolute fairness in power and wealth sharing, vowing to engage any party which shows willingness for genuine dialogue.

“It is a sincere call which is aware of the need to unite the national front on the basis of the nation’s principles and higher interests in order to establish a political system which allows peaceful transformation of power. The government and the opposition are equally responsible for taking this national responsibility,” he added

He underscored that the invitation to join the dialogue is still extended to opposition forces without exclusion in order to agree on a national program and principles.

The Sudanese president noted that they participated in Um Jaras forum and Addis Ababa negotiations with the rebel Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in order to accomplish the same objectives, praising political parties that took part in Um Jaras forum and expressed gratitude for the Chadian president Idriss Deby for his sincere efforts to achieve peace in Sudan.

He said his government sought to review legislations through issuing and amending laws and constitutive orders in order to regulate government performance and accommodate international agreements in accordance with Sudanese people’s values and beliefs.

Bashir said they seek to integrate parliamentary diplomacy and official diplomacy to improve Sudan’s foreign relations, demanding a strengthened parliamentary role in promoting foreign relations through the regional and international parliamentary organisations.

He said the government exerted considerable efforts to promote foreign relations and carried out practical arrangements to enhance ties with neighboring African and Arab nations according to a strategic perspective besides effective participation in regional and international activities in order to bolster ties with all nations of the world.

The Sudanese president also spoke about the economic developments and government decisions to encourage foreign investment besides what he considered social accomplishments in areas of health insurance and offering help for the needy population through the Zakat (alms) Chamber as well as developing capacity of the armed forces and advancement of education.

(ST)