SPLM-N and Khartoum begin direct negotiations in Addis Ababa
November 13, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – The delegations of the Sudanese government and that of the Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) appeared cautiously optimistic in their first direct meeting on Thursday which occurred on the second day of the seventh round of negotiations in Addis Ababa between the two sides on the crisis in the border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
But in their position papers seen by Sudan Tribune, the two parties remained in disagreement over whether the talks should be confined to issues related to the two regions as the government insists, or also include items that would address other crises in the country.
The spokesman for the SPLM-N delegation Mubarak Ardol said in a statement that the warring parties met in face to face talks adding that the atmosphere was positive.
Ardol added that their delegation tabled their view on how this negotiation round should proceed and are now awaiting a response from the government side.
SPLM-N POSITION
The SPLM-N position paper is proposing that the two sides endorse the roadmap signed by the signatories of the Paris Declaration and the 7 +7 committee on one side and the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on the other end.
The negotiating sides would also express willingness to implement the provisions of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) resolutions contained in the 456th meeting, according to the SPLM-N vision.
The rebel movement also called for a commitment by the two sides to address the humanitarian situation through a cessation of hostilities agreement in the two regions as part of a more comprehensive approach that would also include Darfur and is negotiated under the auspices of the AUHIP as part of a unified process for peace that would coordinate the two tracks.
Last October, the AUHIP invited the two sides to resume negotiations in the Ethiopian capital on November 12th. It also extended a similar invitation to Darfur rebels as well as the government to start negotiations on cessation of hostilities on November 22nd in Addis Ababa.
The SPLM-N demands that the parties to the conflict participate in the meeting related to roadmap and procedural issues in Addis Ababa that would pave the way to a national constitutional dialogue with the participation of all Sudanese forces which would take place in Khartoum.
The movement called for concluding a framework agreement with the government that would address issues of the two regions in the context of a national constitutional dialogue, as well as agreeing to postpone the elections until a national transitional government is established that would organize the vote as one outcome of the national constitutional dialogue process.
All parties would also agree to adhering to a specific timeframe to implement provisions of the conference, the SPLM-N position paper states.
Sudan’s general elections are set to be held in April 2015 but opposition parties refuse to participate in it and propose forming a transitional government and holding a national conference with the participation of rebel groups to discuss a peaceful solution for the conflicts in Darfur region, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile states.
On the other hand, the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) reject any postponement to the electoral process saying it would create a constitutional vacuum and cause chaos in the country.
SUDANESE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION
The head of the government delegation Ibrahim Ghandour presented Khartoum’s negotiating position, which affirmed their commitment to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2046 and the statement of the AUPSC meeting on April 24, 2012 and their 23rd decision adopted at its 423rd meeting.
He stressed that they will only negotiate on the two areas contrary to the SPLM-N wishes.
He called for further negotiations using the same approach of the previous round adding that national issues can only be discussed as part of the ongoing national dialogue process.
The pro-government Ashorooq TV quoted Ghandour as expressing optimism on achieving a breakthrough in the current round.
Ghandour said in remarks after the meeting with the SPLM-N that the spirit of the meeting was positive and that the two sides presented a written position paper.
He explained that the meeting was to review the previous positions with the understanding that they should move forward with completing the framework agreement adding they thoroughly discussed the process of comprehensive ceasefire in the two regions.
The SPLM-N delegation spokesperson for his part described the meeting as good but stressed their view that a holistic approach to Sudan conflicts should be taken.
Yasser Arman, the SPLM-N Secretary General, reiterated this position during meeting on Wednesday with US special envoy to Sudans Donald Booth.
The mediation has earlier stressed the need to reach an agreement that would end the war and put an end to the suffering of citizens in South Kordofan and Blue Nile and allows for the delivering of assistance to citizens in war zones.
The Blue Nile and South Kordofan’s conflict erupted months apart from each other in 2011 when Sudan attempted to forcibly disarm SPLM-N fighters it accuses of being backed by their brother-in-arms in the South Sudanese army.
(ST)