Sudan’s opposition NCF will only accept dialogue for genuine change: Abu Issa
September 11, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The umbrella of Sudanese opposition parties reiterated its rejection to the current national dialogue saying they can only accept a process that would lead to genuine change and after the suspension of repressive laws.
Accordingly, the alliance of left opposition parties, which includes Communist Party, Sudanese Congress Party, Haq, and other groups, rejects to be part of any process that does not lead to dismantle “the one-party state” and to hold accountable those who committed crimes against the Sudanese people.
The September Declaration also reaffirms that Addis Ababa agreement on the national dialogue and Paris declaration missed to reaffirm the need to: a) repeal laws restricting freedoms, b) emphasising on the national character of the state apparatus and dismantling the regime of the National Congress Party, and c) agreement on a transitional regime.
On Thursday, NCF chairman Farouk Abu Essa told Sudan Tribune they are not opposed to the national dialogue but insist on the importance to define the desired goals of this internal process before to join it, stressing they would not concede their demand for a transitional government.
“The understandings signed both in Paris and Addis Ababa between the National Umma Party and Sudanese Revolutionary Front, the mechanism of national dialogue and the Paris Declaration forces included positive signals, but need to explore more objectives, especially when it deals with the acceptance of dialogue,” Au Issa said.
“There must be a goal for dialogue. Do we want to keep this regime or do we look for a new regime,” he further stressed.
The opposition figure further said that Wednesday meeting extensively discussed the recent developments related to the national dialogue and decided to “strengthen relations with the alliance of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front”.
He added the meeting also reiterated the NCF’s demand to stop war before to engage in the national dialogue and to release political prisoners and detainees as well as other measures aiming to create a suitable atmosphere.
The opposition coalition since the launch of the national dialogue last January has rejected to join the process, asking to include rebel groups, release political freedoms and to free political detainees and prisoners.
The Popular Congress Party of Hassan al-Turabi abandoned the alliance and joined the internal process, while the National Umma Party (NUP) had already suspended its membership in the NCF before to join the dialogue at the time.
Abu Issa also disclosed that some of the NCF forces received an invitation to join the process and the roadmap adopted on 9 August by the national dialogue high committee. But he pointed out that they want the dialogue mechanism to deals with them as one entity.
The dialogue body tasked a subcommittee chaired by presidential assistant Mohamed Ahmed Musa of the Beja Congress with contacts with the opposition parties.
Last week, Sudanese security service barred a NCF delegate from travelling to Addis Ababa for consultations with the rebel groups.
(ST)