Sudanese president vows to “rip up” any UNSC resolution on national dialogue
September 4, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir has pledged to tear off any resolution by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding the national dialogue.
“There is no way to transfer the dialogue abroad and it will be an exclusive Sudanese process”, he added
He reiterated his promise to offer the necessary guarantees for the rebel leaders who wish to participate in the dialogue in Khartoum, expecting the African Union Peace and Security Council (UNPSC) would refer the national dialogue to the UNSC.
“If the UNSC issued a resolution pertaining to the national dialogue, we would tear it off just as we did with similar resolutions,” he stressed
“I’m the head of the dialogue’s committee and nobody would chair the dialogue and be my boss whether from the African Union or any other organ,” he added
Relationship between Khartoum and the AU became strained after the AUPSC organized a hearing for the opposition “Sudan Call” forces on 24 August 2015 which led the former to condemn the move and describe it as “outrageous initiative” declaring its refusal for any foreign involvement in the process.
Also, last month the AUPSC issued a decision demanding the government and the rebels to declare a ceasefire in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile and calling for holding a pre-dialogue meeting outside the country.
On Tuesday, the national dialogue coordination committee (7+7) said it formed an ad hoc committee to mull over the AUPSC’s decision. It is expected to issue a statement within hours to clarify its official position.
Bashir launched the national dialogue initiative more than a year and a half ago in which he urged opposition parties and rebels alike to join the dialogue table to discuss all the pressing issues.
But the initiative faced serious setbacks after the government refusal to create suitable atmosphere by releasing political prisoners, ensuring freedoms, and postponement of elections.
The rebel groups and the opposition alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) refused to join the process from the beginning while the National Umma Party (NUP) led by al-Sadiq al-Mahdi withdrew from the process in protest of al-Mahdi’s arrest in May 2014.
Later on, several political parties including the Reform Now Movement (RNM), and the Alliance of the Peoples’ Working Forces (APWF) announced they had decided to suspend participation in the national dialogue until the requirements of a conducive environment are met.
END OF REBELLION
Meanwhile Bashir described the situation in Darfur as “safe” saying rebel groups lost their military strength following attacks by the Sudanese army.
He pointed that the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/MM (SLM-MM) led by Minni Minnawi is currently present in Libya, saying they fight alongside the forces of the retired Libyan General Khalifa Haftar in return for cash.
Bashir added the fighters belonging to the SLM-AW led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur are being trapped in Jebel Marra, saying that forces of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has been completely destroyed.
The Sudanese president also said the rebels on Blue Nile and South Kordofan is at its worst due to the crisis in South Sudan, underscoring that 2016 will be a year for peace which needs huge sacrifices.
He said the government would collect unauthorized arms in Darfur after the end of the rainy season.
The Sudanese army has been fighting SPLM-N rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.
SUDANESE COMMUNITY AND US REACTIONS
On a different topic, Bashir praised the Sudanese community in China, saying it is if compared to its counterparts in other countries.
He promised to resolve problems pertaining to education, curriculum and teachers, vowing to establish a Sudanese school in China.
Bashir pointed to efforts to resolve problems of money transfers between Sudan and China, saying that discussions on using the pound and the Yuan to conduct financial transactions instead of the US dollar have reached advanced stages.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour called upon the United States to change its policy towards Sudan, saying they expected the negative American remarks on Bashir’s visit to China and took the necessary precautions.
Sudan’s president and his accompanying delegation including ministers of foreign affairs, oil and transport among others arrived in China on Monday to participate in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The US expressed its displeasure over the visit saying that Bashir should not be welcomed by countries but should rather face justice.
“As you know, he’s been charged – by the ICC, International Criminal Court, with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, and warrants for his arrest remain outstanding. And we strongly support the ICC’s efforts to hold accountable those responsible for those acts. Our position is clear: We oppose invitations, facilitation, or support for travel by persons subject to outstanding ICC warrants,” US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters on Monday.
(ST)