NUP reiterates commitment to holistic solution in Sudan
March 10, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The opposition National Umma Party (NUP) on Tuesday denied any secret contacts with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and reiterated its commitment to the comprehensive political solution to achieve just peace and democratic transition in Sudan.
Speaking in a symposium organised on the outcome of a meeting the Sudan Call forces held in Berlin last week, NUP deputy president Merriam al-Mahdi, stressed that the opposition leader is not engaged in any discussions with the ruling party.
Al-Mahdi further termed as “contradictory” the government efforts to persuade the NUP leader to return to Sudan, adding that the meetings with his son Abdel-Rahman are held in a family context.
The meetings are “encounters between a father and his son, no more,” she stressed.
Following the signing of Paris Declaration with the rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) the Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir said Sadiq al-Mahdi would be arrested for meeting the rebels in the French capital last August.
NUP deputy-president underscored that Paris agreement and the Sudan Call which included the National Consensus Forces (NCF), and civil society groups aim to achieve a negotiated solution to the armed conflicts in Sudan and pave the way for democratic reforms.
She further added that Berlin Declaration is an extension of the Sudan Call as it allowed to better define the position of the political and armed forces towards the African Union decision 456 on the national dialogue process.
Berlin Declaration allowed to details the Sudan Call and to show the opposition’s commitment to the comprehensive political solution. Also it makes the international community witness of Khartoum’s lack of seriousness to achieve the national dialogue it calls for, Merriam al-Mahdi said.
The “Sudan Call” forces issued on Friday 27 February the Berlin declaration where they expressed their readiness to discuss with Khartoum government the requirements and procedures of the national dialogue in a preparatory meeting to be hosted at the African Union headquarters as provided in an African Union roadmap.
From the Egyptian capital , the NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi, Tuesday, sent a written letter to all the political forces including the ruling party proposing the formation of a transitional government and suggested 10 principles to reach this end.
In his letter, al-Mahdi asked to recognise the SRF as partner and to conclude a fair and comprehensive peace agreement ending the war in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur.
He further called to create a suitable atmosphere and implement confidence building measures including the release of political detainees and suppression of press censorship.
He also said the chairmanship of the national dialogue should be neutral and non partisan with regional and international guarantees to implement what would be agreed.
(ST)