Framework deal with rebels restored hope in Sudan’s national dialogue process: NCP
September 12, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) said that a framework agreement signed between the national dialogue committee known as 7+7 and the Paris Declaration forces has restored hope in the national process, as well as helping break down barriers of distrust between the government and the rebel alliance of the Sudan Revolutionary Forces (SRF).
The NCP’s political secretary, Mustafa Osman Ismail, on a talk show broadcasted by the state-run Radio Omdurman on Friday said that Mbeki briefed president Omer Hassan al-Bashir in their recent meeting on his plan for moving forward Sudan’s peace process.
Ismail said that Mbeki informed Bashir that he will submit a report on the progress of Sudan’s peace process to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) in Addis Ababa on Friday and a similar one to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on September 17th as well as holding meetings with western officials on the same issue.
He underscored the importance of Mbeki’s meeting with Bashir, saying the former wouldn’t be able to submit his report prior to identifying the vision of the Sudanese leadership on political issues and ways to end the war.
Ismail considered the framework agreement a move towards restoring faith in the dialogue process and breaking barrier of distrust among all parties, stressing the need to reach a ceasefire agreement before kicking off the dialogue conference.
The NCP official emphasized that Mbeki obtained approval of Doha to have the ceasefire deal concluded in Addis Ababa, saying the next step is to end the war before engaging in political dialogue.
Sudanese president expressed his support to the agreement on national dialogue and constitutional process, saying he would offer the necessary guarantees for the rebel groups to take part in the national dialogue conference inside Sudan.
Ismail nonetheless criticized the Paris Declaration saying it sought to condemn the Sudanese government and hold it responsible for introducing political violence and wars as well as secession of South Sudan.
He said the NUP leader, al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, found his long-sought after dream in the Paris Declaration because the SRF seeks to hold the government responsible for all Sudan’s problems. But Ismail underscored the need for al-Mahdi’s participation in the national dialogue.
DIALOGUE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Meanwhile, Ismail said the general assembly of the national dialogue which includes representatives of all political parties participating in the dialogue would convene next week.
He pointed that a report on recent political developments and the framework agreement will be presented before the assembly besides discussing the roadmap for national dialogue approved by the 7+7 committee as well as determining the date for the start of the national dialogue conference.
The NCP official pointed that the 7+7 committee is not fully authorized to carry out all dialogue work, saying it is only a coordinating body.
He noted that the general assembly holds the final authority and approves the work of the 7+7 committee and determines its new framework.
Ismail expressed the belief that the general assembly would support the roadmap and the agreement signed with the Paris Declaration forces as well as granting the 7+7 committee further delegation to prepare for the start of the dialogue conference, continue contacts with rebel groups and build trust to enable Mbeki to reach a ceasefire which allows rebel groups to participate in the national dialogue.
He reiterated his party’s commitment to all decisions taken at the national dialogue conference regarding postponement of the 2015 elections but stressed they would defend their position to hold elections on time in order to avoid any constitutional vacuum.
The NCP official further pointed to the difference between negotiations and political dialogue, saying the former is conducted between the government and rebel groups under the auspices of the African mediation while the latter is an open and comprehensive discussion among all political parties which would come up with agreements on issues to be carried out by all participants.
On Thursday, Mbeki announced that Sudanese government delegations will hold parallel meetings with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM) on 12 October and another one with Darfur rebel groups on 15 October to discuss a cessation of hostilities agreement.
Ismail said that both the NCP and the 7+7 committee have approved the Addis Ababa agreement and considered it a general framework for the national dialogue process.
(ST)