African mediators due to convene Sudan’s dialogue preparatory meeting shortly
March 16, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government and opposition groups are expected to meet during the last weekend of March to discuss ways to hold a national dialogue process aiming to discuss peace and constitutional reforms.
The meeting was planned to take place after the signing of security arrangements agreement between the government and rebels but the failure of the peace talks last December led to prioritise this step.
Last February, the German government, which facilitates the AUHIP-led process, encouraged the political and armed opposition to meet the government to discuss the requirements and procedures of the dialogue.
African diplomats told Sudan Tribune that the AUHIP chief is preparing to extend an invitation to the government and opposition forces to meet in Addis Ababa by the end of this month, adding it may probably take place on 26 March.
The purpose of the preparatory meeting is “to ensure that the necessary confidence-building are taken, the key steps of the National Dialogue process are fully agreed upon, and that the process is fair and will result in the mutually-agreed objectives,” said AUPSC last September.
The singing of the “Sudan Call” by the main opposition parties and the rebel groups crystallised a new political bloc including several forces hostile to the dialogue process as proposed by the regime.
Observers fear that the dynamic of the Sudan Call declaration obstructs the AUHIP-led process and hampers the ongoing efforts to end the armed conflicts in the Two Areas and Darfur.
The Sudan Call forces entrusted the rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and National Umma Party to represent them at this preparatory conference. The National Consensus Forces (NCF) refused to participate in the meeting.
On Sunday the Sudan People’s Liberation People -North (SPLM-N) said they would not participate in the preparatory if it not held before the general elections. The rebel group accused Khartoum of disregarding the concessions they made in Berlin Declaration even if the peace talks are stalled.
Last week president Omer al-Bashir minimised the outcome of Berlin meeting saying it didn’t achieve its purpose, adding he agreed with the organisers to bring the opposition to the national dialogue and to not boycott the elections.
(ST)