Sudan’s ruling NCP reiterates refusal for transitional government

April 16, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has expressed readiness to agree with the political forces and rebel groups on a national program to govern the country in the coming period but reiterated its rejection to establishing a transitional government.

The presidential assistant and deputy chairman of the NCP, Ibrahim Ghandour, said his party is ready to agree with political forces on a political program to govern the country, pointing they refuse to join a government comprised of dissonant forces similar to the one which was formed before the secession of South Sudan.

He further renewed call for opposition parties which refused to engage in the dialogue and the rebel groups to respond to the comprehensive national dialogue initiative launched by president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.

“They (opposition parties and rebel groups) will wait for a long time on the sidewalk. Their wishes [of toppling the regime] wouldn’t be realised, so they shouldn’t wait for the unknown,” he added.

The opposition parties of the National Consensus Froces (NCF) refuse to participate in the national dialogue before the formation of a national unity government during a transitional government where a national conference including rebel groups would be held.

The opposition says this government would also implement the outcome of the national dialogue conference and organise general elections in the country.

Ghandour affirmed that rebel groups wouldn’t be able to seize power by force, saying that rebellion in Sudan has never managed to overthrow a government in Khartoum.

He demanded leadership and constituencies of the NCP to get ready for the general elections, predicting his party’s would win the elections.

“Don’t be occupied with the timing and dates of holding the elections and get ready for it as if it will be held tomorrow,” he said.

The presidential assistant underscored they accepted the national dialogue from a position of strength not weakness, saying dialogue won’t dismantle the regime and the ballot box will be the only way for assuming power.

Meanwhile, Ghandour regretted rejection of the rebel alliance Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) of the national dialogue, saying he hoped that the position of the SRF would not be the rejection of dialogue.

On Monday, the SRF 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 alliance said it doesn’t reject the principle of dialogue for a comprehensive and peaceful solution, but they want a dialogue based on a clear roadmap to “move from war to peace and from totalitarianism to democracy”.

Late last January, Bashir launched a four-point reform plan and asked political forces and rebel groups should they lay down arms to engage in a comprehensive national dialogue process.

Two opposition parties, the People’s Congress Party (PCP) and the National Umma Party (NUP) expressed support for the process, but insist on the need to ensure freedoms.

(ST)