Sudan needs national dialogue to preserve unity and stability: Bashir
September 24, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir asserted that “the present moment” in the country’s history is the most pressing for the adoption of dialogue in order to maintain the unity of Sudan as well as its political, economic and social stability.
He emphasized that the government seeks to create a healthy Sudanese nation that is free from division and intolerance.
Bashir launched the national dialogue initiative in January 2014 but the process suffered major setbacks after the withdrawal of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) and Reform Now Movement (RNM) and the non-participation of the armed rebels as well as leftist forces.
He has issued an amnesty this week to rebel leaders and declared a ceasefire as a goodwill gesture to bring non-participants on board to dialogue.
In his speech Bashir also congratulated the Saudi-led military alliance operating in Yemen “to defend the security of the land of the Two Holy [mosques] and restore legitimacy and hope to Yemen”.
He saluted the Sudanese forces that are part of the alliance and other members of the security and military apparatus for carrying out their “sacred” duty in protecting their homeland.
Bashir also congratulated the Palestinians pointing out that they “are subjected to a brutal aggression and heinous attacks by gangs of occupation which has carried out unjust aggression against Islamic holy sites and against the Palestinian people”.
The Sudanese leader also congratulated the Syrians and Yemenis who had taken refuge in Sudan.
(ST)