Sudan’s NCP reiterates rejection for conducive environment, as Bashir chairs dialogue meeting
August 19, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has reiterated its rejection of the opposition’s demand for a conducive environment before to participate in the national dialogue and denied holding any political prisoners.
Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid told press that invitations were extended to the political forces in the country including the parties that refuse to participate in the process before to implement confidence building measures particularly stopping war, political freedoms, press freedom and release of political detainees and prisoners.
Hamid further said that his party works seriously to overcome all the obstacles facing the national dialogue, but stressed that the internal political process will not be delayed because of the absence of a certain person or a particular party.
Also, he belittled the opposition’s claims for a conducive environment before to join the process, saying the prisons are empty of political prisons.
“Anyone who says having a political prisoner and proves that, can come to us and we will release him directly,” he said adding “those who are in prisons are those who attacked people and looted their money. They were sentenced by the courts and are not in connection with any political party”.
The presidential assistant, on the other hand, rejected the opposition demand for the partial transfer of the dialogue conference outside the country saying “Is it reasonable for a political party holing its meetings and criticize the government inside the Sudan to come and asks to meet the government outside the country.”
Hamid was alluding to statements by the deputy head of the National Umma Party Merriam al-Mahdi on Tuesday where she reiterated the opposition demand for the partial transfer of the political process to outside the country, and called for a popular uprising to bring down the regime.
However, he said they are still in touch contact with the NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi hoping that he joins the internal process, adding “if he did not come the dialogue will continue (without him)”.
The presidential aide said that dialogue conference will discuss all the issues and the government will implement its outcome.
“The Sudanese people is the only guarantor of the implementation of the outputs of the dialogue even if it led to hold a new election,” he said.
The ruling party says that some 83 political parties and 50 national figures selected by the national dialogue committee will participate in the political process scheduled for 10 October.
COMMUNIST PARTY REFUSES THE INVITATION
The secretary-general of the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) Mohamed Mukhtar al-Khatib, Wednesday renewed his party’s boycott for the national dialogue process and refusal to attend the general assembly on Thursday.
Speaking in a press conference held in Khartoum, al-Khatib said his party is still calling to overthrow the regime and sees the need to form a four-year transitional government “to dismantle the one-party system in favour of the State of the people, and the elaboration of a constitution with the participation of all Sudanese”.
He further accused the NCP of working to maintain itself in government and enabling what he called ” parasitic groups”
He said the opposition forces are under external pressure to accept a dialogue aiming “to produce artificial reforms and tinkering with the regime”.
The PSC and Sudanese Congress Party are the main forces of the opposition alliance National Consensus Forces.
(ST)