Sudan opposition to take part in national dialogue preparatory meeting: Germany
February 27, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s political and armed opposition groups will take part in a preparatory meeting ahead of national dialogue in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, announced the German foreign ministry on Friday.
on 25 and 26 February, the signatories of “Sudan Call” who refuse to join the national dialogue process before to create a conducive environment, discussed proposals for peace-building measures as part of the national dialogue process which should be held inside the country.
The German Federal Foreign Office said that the meeting decided to send a delegation to Addis Ababa “to take part in a National Dialogue preparatory meeting to negotiate with the Sudanese Government about further cooperation”.
The preparatory meeting is part of a roadmap endorsed by African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) last September.
The peace plan tasks the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) with the organisation of this meeting at the headquarters of the regional body, but it was supposed to intervene after the signing of a cessation of hostilities in the conflict areas and the security arrangements.
Last December, the AUHIP had to postpone the talks on Two Areas due to the failure of the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) to agree on how to link between the regional and the national issues.
German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed the “willingness” of the opposition to find a solution to Sudan’s problems through the dialogue process.
“I” am glad about the successful outcome of the discussions held here in Berlin. The Berlin Declaration is an important step towards reconciliation in Sudan. There is greater hope now that the Government in Khartoum and the opposition will take up serious negotiations,” Steinmeier said.
The German foreign ministry reiterated its support to AU chief mediator Thabo Mbeki in his efforts to bring the peace negotiations in Addis Ababa to a successful conclusion.
Germany “will continue the dialogue with the Sudanese Government in order to support the peace process and bring about lasting reconciliation”.
The Sudanese government has arrested two opposition figures since last December for signing the “Sudan Call” agreement with the rebel SRF. However, the security service did not prevent the leaders of the NCF to fly to Berlin.
The Sudanese government said trusting the ongoing German and European efforts to facilitate the AU mediation to end war in the east African country.
(ST)