Opposition forces propose to reshape AU process for peace in Sudan

April 26, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The opposition “Sudan Call” forces have proposed to establish a new process with a single negotiating track replacing the two track one process approach adopted by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) last September.

The proposal was included in a letter signed by the Umma National Party president Sadiq al-Mahdi and chairman of Sudanese Revolutionary Forces (SRF) Malik Agar sent to the AUPSC and the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP). The two leaders are mandated by the opposition forces to negotiate the preparatory measures with the government.

The move came after the refusal of the Sudanese government to take part in a pre-national dialogue meeting last March called by the AUHIP mediators to discuss procedures matters related to the organisation of an inclusive conference on peace and democratic reforms in Sudan.

Khartoum government officials explained that they are committed to the national dialogue process but justified they rejection of the national dialogue preparatory meeting saying the opposition wanted to use it to postpone April general elections.

In a letter seen by Sudan Tribune dated on 3 April, the opposition forces reiterated their strong support to “the general framework for a comprehensive National Constitutional Dialogue process”. Equally they expressed their adherence to the AUPSC road map and the framework agreement signed with the AUHIP on 5 September 2015, and Berlin Declaration.

However they said concerned by the government’s lack of political will to engage in a serious comprehensive process to end the armed conflicts in Sudan by addressing their root causes and to engage in a democratic transformation.

Accordingly, the political and armed opposition alliance “demands the creation of a new comprehensive AUHIP-led process for all of Sudan that prioritises addressing the humanitarian issues in Sudan and protecting Sudanese civilians through an immediate humanitarian cessation of hostilities”.

This new process shall “follow a single negotiation track for the peace process, taking into consideration the regional particularities, to end the wars by addressing the root causes of conflicts in Sudan,” the letter further emphasised.

In line with the “two tacks one process”, in November and December 2014 the mediation organised a series of separate meetings between the government and SPLM-N from one side and the government and Darfur groups on the other side. But no deal was reached through this approach which meant to stop hostilities and deal with security measures ahead of the inclusive political conference.

The Sudan Call forces further welcomed a greater role for the international community in this new process and suggested that the mediation and the AU peace and security body work closely with the UN Security Council and other international actors who would contribute “to ending Sudan multiple crises, rebuilding the country and promote regional peace and security”.

The Sudanese opposition further proposed that the formation of a transitional government be included in a new plan for peace to be endorsed by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

This transitional cabinet “shall not be comprised of any who committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, and that shall oversee the creation and implementation of the new National Constitutional Dialogue process with facilitation support from the AUHIP,” they stressed.

Sudanese opposition forces boycotted the electoral process and said they do not recognise the outcome of April elections pointing to the lack of political freedoms and continuation of war in different regions.

The results of the vote are to be announced on 27 April and the ruling National Congress Party is expected to dominate the parliament and president Omer al-Bashir re-elected for a new 5 year term.

(ST)