SLM-MM, Sudan to engage in peace talks in November
October 28, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) will meet the Sudanese government will meet for talks on a cessation of hostilities in line with an African Union roadmap for peace in Sudan.
The SLM-MM presidential assistant for media and public relations , Mutwakil Mohamed Musa, pointed that his movement believes in the peaceful solution for the Sudanese crisis, stressing they seek “to achieve radical and comprehensive solution through unifying the platforms of negotiations”.
On Sunday, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) said it received invitation from the AUHIP to resume talks with the government on the Two Areas on 12 November.
However, the other rebel groups in Darfur region did not yet receive an invitation from the African mediation.
In September, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) called on the warring parties in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states and Darfur region to discuss a cessation of hostilities agreement, before participating in a national dialogue process aiming to achieve peace and reach an agreement on constitutional reforms.
AUHIP chief Thabo Mbeki announced that Sudanese government delegation will hold parallel meetings with the SPLM-N on 12 October and another one with Darfur rebel groups on 16 October to discuss a cessation of hostilities agreement.
But he had to review his plans as the government declined the invitation due to the general convention of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) which took place on 23-27 October.
Musa underscored that the SLM-MM works within the framework of the rebel Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), saying this requires them to consult with the rest of the alliance’s factions on the AUHIP invitation in order to combine visions and positions.
He added that his movement supports negotiations, dialogue and the peaceful solutions as long as it leads to a radical change in the structure and policies of governance, warning they are aware of the government’s plans to mobilise for war.
“The movement (SLM-MM) assures the Sudanese people in general and particularly the people of Darfur that it is ready to defeat the government and foil its plans,” he said.
In early September, the SRF and the dialogue committee known as 7+7 signed separate agreements with the AUHIP in Addis Ababa on the national dialogue and constitutional process providing that a comprehensive political agreement is the ideal option to end war and achieve democratic reforms.
MBEKI TO VISIT CAIRO
On Saturday, the Sudanese government said that Mbeki, will arrive in the country on 4 November to discuss with president Omer Hassan al-Bashir the national dialogue process and resumption of talks on the Two Areas and Darfur.
However, African Union sources said Mbeki would be in Khartoum on 2 November.
Sudan Tribune has also learnt that the former South African diplomat would visit Cairo for talks with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on his mediation in Sudan.
The visit, which is expected to take place during the first week of November, comes at the invitation of al-Sisi.
The move indicates Egypt’s desire to recover its active role in the region after several years of diplomatic absence due to its internal troubles.
(ST)