Bashir’s 2-month ceasefire is public-relation manoeuvre : Arman

September 26, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The government’s two-month ceasefire is a public-relation announcement, said the secretary general of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) who called on Khartoum to accept the African Union roadmap.

President Omer Hassan al-Bashir last week vowed to observe a two-month ceasefire and pardoned rebel leaders who accept to join the national dialogue conference which is expected to kick off next month.

But in an interview with Alarabia TV on Friday 25 September, Yasir Arman minimized the presidential decisions saying they are “part of a public relation campaign”.

He further pointed to the air attacks on 24 September on the rebel held areas in Blue Nile state which took place two days after the ceasefire declaration. And stressed that the Sudan’s High Court approved death sentences for 19 SPLM-N leading members including its chairman and himself.

The rebel leader also expressed hope that the government show more seriousness and commits itself to the roadmap endorsed by the African Union peace and security Council (AUPSC) since September 2014.

“We are ready , as it is provided in the decision of the AUPSC to meet the government at the headquarters of the African Union to discuss the (procedural ) details (of the internal process),” he said.

Arman also said they hope that the regime comes to negotiate with the opposition forces within the framework of an inclusive political process for change and in a suitable atmosphere of freedoms for all the Sudanese.

The Sudanese government says ready for a meeting with the rebel group only to discuss their participation in the political process which will take place inside the country. Also, Khartoum refuses any involvement of the international community in the dialogue.

Arman told the Pan-Arab TV channel they also welcome the participation of neighbouring countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the national dialogue process.

Sudanese presidential assistant Mahmoud Ibrahim Hamid two days ago stated the completion of all arrangements to convene the national dialogue conference on 10 October .

He referred to the presidential amnesty for the rebel leaders and the two month ceasefire saying “those decrees would enhance efforts to create a conducive climate to ensure the success of the comprehensive national dialogue”.

(ST)