Sudan’s rebel alliance rejects government call for national dialogue

April 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel alliance of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) Sunday has reiterated its rejection to take part in the national dialogue, saying the government is escalating military operations instead of declaring cessation of hostilities and making confidence-building measures.

The rebel SRF, which says that a constitutional conference must lead to restore a democratic regime in Sudan, demands that such national process intervene after holding direct talks with them to negotiate a cessation of hostilities and open humanitarian access to civilians in the rebel areas.

The alliance pointed in a statement on Sunday that its leadership held continuous meetings throughout last week to assess the political situation and decide on participation in the national dialogue, saying it decided not to take part in it.

The statement added this strategic decision was made following a deep evaluation, pointing out that the regime launched systemic military operations during the last couple of months including escalation of aerial bombardment and ground attacks carried out by government militias targeting civilians in Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, and Blue Nile.

“The Revolutionary Front is not ready to participate in this farce par excellence. We represent the victims, their mothers, their parents, sisters and brothers , and we cannot provide a cover for the continuation of war crimes in the name of (dialogue).”, said the statement.

The rebels said the government only seeks to buy time in order to produce another version of the same regime and draft a new constitution under the control of its security apparatus.

The statement added that the SRF doesn’t reject the dialogue and the comprehensive peaceful solution , but they want a dialogue to be based on clear roadmap to “move from war to peace and from totalitarianism to democracy”.

KHARTOUM OFFERS GUARANTEES FOR REBELS

In Khartoum, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) reiterated its call for the rebel groups to join the national dialogue saying they are ready to offer guarantees for the rebel groups that accept to take part in the political process.

“We are in consultation with the dialogue partners to see what is the appropriate mechanism to extend an invitation to the armed movements and how we can engage the rebels in the dialogue”, further said the head of NCP political sector Yasser Youssef on Sunday.

The government says rebel groups should reach separate peace deals to end war in Darfur and the Two Areas, but the rebels ask for a national conference brokered by the African Union and the United Nations before to hold the dialogue.

Also, the political forces that refusing the process and the SRF demand to form a national government to lead the country during an interim period and to implement the outcome of the inclusive and national process.

(ST)