Sudan’s ruling party and JEM-Dabajo sign political partnership deal
December 31, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has signed on Wednesday a political partnership agreement with the former rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM-Dabajo) led by, Bakheit Abdallah Abdel-Karim (Dabajo).
However the killing of its leader, Mohamed Bashar, near the Chadian border delayed the implementation of the peace deal, and Dabajo was chosen to lead the group.
The fresh deal requires the two parties to forge an alliance and coordinate efforts in the legislative, executive, trade union and students elections following the transformation of the former rebel group into a political party.
The deal, which was signed by the NCP deputy chairman Ibrahim Ghandour and Dabajo on Wednesday, sought to promote joint work and collaboration in all spheres besides maintaining unity of the Sudan.
According to the agreement, seen by Sudan Tribune, the partnership also aims to embed stability and civil peace particularly in Darfur besides securing the voluntary return of the internally displaced persons and refugees, and establishing security to take advantage of investment and development opportunities.
The partnership is based upon compatibility of visions and political coordination. It seeks to forge a political alliance to face national challenges besides working towards completion of the peace process to achieve a just and comprehensive settlement to stop the bloodshed and maintain national unity, says the text of the agreement.
The two sides also vowed to jointly participate in the state’s institutions and to mobilise the Sudanese people to achieve “the supreme national goals and development projects”.
Meanwhile, the political secretary of JEM-Dabajo, Nahar Osman Nahar, told reporters that his movement has officially informed the registrar of political parties about the transformation of the group into a political party, stressing they will soon hold their founding conference in preparation for participating in the elections.
The Sudanese government refuses to postpone the general elections of April 2015. The opposition parties, participating in the national dialogue or not, have decided to boycott the electoral process.
The other DDPD partner, Liberation and Justice Movement; prepares to sign a similar agreement with the ruling party. Internal divisions however delay the implementation of security arrangements.