Sudanese opposition forces stick to their demand for holistic solution: SPLM-N
August 16, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Call forces will reiterate their demand for a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue in Sudan to end war and to produce democratic reforms, said the secretary-general of the Sudan People’s Liberation movement -North (SPLM).
“We will go to Addis Ababa on 21 August to confirm what President Mbeki himself has found in Khartoum, where he had been badly received,” Arman said.
“We know that the government showed its unwillingness to the national dialogue. But we will reiterate him our willingness for dialogue, and comprehensive peace. Also we will say there is no party to dialogue with in Khartoum”.
On the other hand, Arman said that all the factions of the Sudan Call forces will be represented in this consultations meeting, adding that it was agreed with the AUHIP team that 15 delegates of the opposition forces will participated in the discussions with the chief mediator.
Sudanese officials earlier this month indicated their preference for direct peace talks with the SPLM-N to end the four-year conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. They also said that the AUHIP has not to intervene in Darfur conflict.
The SPLM-N secretary-general said that Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir is now controlling all the decisions and does not even allow the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) a margin for manoeuvre if they engage in a dialogue with the political forces .
“This is why we will reiterate our consistent stance on the need for a comprehensive solution to stop war and bombardment of civilians and to allow humanitarian access. Also, we will request a clear and formal mandate (for the AUHIP )in a way that Khartoum does not control the dialogue process,” he emphasized.
Last March, the government refused to participate in a meeting to discuss the necessary procedures and steps before to hold the dialogue process inside the country.
Since, the opposition forces have demanded that the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) gives a clear mandate for the chief mediator to organise the process and to involve the international community.
Mbeki was in Khartoum on 3 August where he met with the Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir and held another separate meeting with the presidential assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid who seemingly would lead the government delegation for any talks with the rebel groups.
The former government chief negotiator, Ibrahim Ghandour, is appointed foreign minister since last June.
(ST)