Leaders of Sudan’s largest parties meet in London
October 31, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Leaders of Sudan’s two largest political parties met in London to discuss the political situation in the country and ways to end war and achieve democratic reforms in Sudan, but their meeting wrapped up without a joint statement.
Opposition circles hoped that the DUP declares its support to the postponement of the general elections scheduled for April 2015, besides joining calls for the implementation of confidence building measures in order to hold a genuine national dialogue in Sudan.
However, the meeting between the two historical leaders ended without a joint statement.
Instead, the NUP president issued a short statement saying he paid a private visit for al-Mirghani who is in London for medical treatment.
“We agreed to keep in touch for the benefit of the country and its citizens,” al-Mahdi further said.
Al-Mirghani announced last week that the DUP, which participate in the National Congress Party (NCP) led government, will participate in the upcoming elections and called for free and fair vote.
DUP sources in Khartoum say they already held several meetings with the NCP to discuss geographical constituencies that can be reserved for their party in the legislative elections.
Following the arrest of Sadiq al-Mahdi, the NUP suspended its participation in the national dialogue process and signed an agreement with the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) in Paris calling to postpone elections, end war and to involve rebel in the dialogue process.
During the last free and democratic legislative election in the county held in 1986, the NUP won 101 and the DUP 63 of the 260 seats in the Constituent Assembly.
(ST)