Sudan regrets rebels’ rejection for national dialogue
April 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Presidential aide Ibrahim Ghandour said he regretted that the rebel alliance Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) had decided not to participate in national dialogue, which aims to discuss regional conflicts and ways to ensure democratic transition in Sudan.
The rebels refused last Monday to participate in this political process saying the SRF doesn’t reject the principle of dialogue for a comprehensive peaceful solution, but they want a dialogue based on a clear roadmap to “move from war to peace and from totalitarianism to democracy”.
The rebels demand that the government meets all the SRF factions to discuss a humanitarian cessation of hostilities with them. Following this they propose a meeting brokered by the African Union and United Nations to sort out the mechanism of this dialogue.
UN special envoy Haile Menkerios expressed hopes that Sudanese rebel groups would seriously consider taking part in national dialogue.
Menkerios made his call following a meeting in Khartoum with the presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour to discuss the national dialogue and the upcoming talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North )SPLM-N) to end the conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.
The official also expressed hopes that the two parties will reach a dealing allowing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians in the Two Areas.
Menkerios said his meeting with Ghandour discussed the national dialogue and the step taken by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to create a conducive environment in the country, stressing the need for confidence-building measures in this respect.
He reiterated the United Nations support for president Omer Hassan al-Bashir’s decision to make the party’s internal process comprehensive and transparent.
(ST)