SPLM-N accuses government negotiating team of blocking Sudan dialogue
November 26, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Sudan people’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) restated its attachment to a comprehensive political settlement for the Sudanese problem, accusing the government of denying the national dialogue.
The negotiating parties endorsed all the proposals made by the African Union mediation. However, chief mediator Thabo Mbeki on 17 November adjourned the discussions to allow the two sides to consult and reflect on some “additional documents” to be included to the framework agreement.
SPLM-N chief negotiator Yasir Arman told Sudan Tribune that the government on Wednesday did not present its position on the matters the mediation asked the two parties to consider.
“Mbeki requested the parties to give a clear response on how to coordinate one peace process with two tracks and reach a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. He asked how to reach one roadmap, including a preparatory meeting for the national dialogue. Further, he wanted to know the positions’ of two parties on the particularities of the conflict areas and how to deal with within the framework of the national constitutional dialogue,” Aman said.
In line with the decision of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) 456, the mediation has brokered two tracks for the Two Areas and Darfur in a way to end the war in these regions and hold a national gathering in Addis Ababa to prepare for the constitutional process which should take place inside the country.
On the other side, the head of the government delegation Ibrahim Ghandour told reporters in Addis Ababa that the most important now is to sign the framework agreement on the Two Areas, to form three committee to negotiate on the security, humanitarian and political issues, and to agree on the term of reference for these committees.
He further reiterated the government willingness to response to the questions posed by the mediation emphasising “unless we complete the essential, which is the framework agreement and the committees, we cannot engage in discussions over the details of these committees”.
Arman argued the SPLM-N rejects any attempt to divide the peace process, stressing they stick to two things: linking the two tracks and reaching a comprehensive framework agreement.
“We reject partial solutions, also we stick to the participation of all the Sudanese parties, including the Sudanese Revolutionary Front and the National Umma Party, the National Consensus Forces, and civil society groups, in the preparatory meeting,” he said.
The SPLM-N secretary-general went further to accuse the National Congress Party-led government of denying the national dialogue which “found an internal and external favourable echo.
“The only thing that the (opposition) political forces want the end of war and creation of a conducive environment and that is the problem,” he stressed.
The mediation is expected to hold a meeting on Thursday for the two delegations in a bid to bridge the gaps between the two sides.
Regarding Darfur track, Ghandour said the ongoing discussion with Darfur rebel groups have to reach a ceasefire and prepare the ground for the dialogue process, adding the talks will be moved to Doha for the other files.
(ST)