Sudanese Islamist opposition figure returns home to participate in national dialogue
October 15, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The head of the Islamic al-Wasat Party Youssef al-Koda arrived in Khartoum on Thursday to participate in the national dialogue, two years after feeling the country to seek political asylum in Switzerland.
The opposition figure who is better known as an Islamic preacher, emerged as one of the staunchest critics of the Bashir government and headed for rapprochement with the rebel umbrella known as the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) by signing the ‘New Dawn’ agreement with them in the Ugandan capital in 2013.
He was arrested upon his return from Kampala by Sudanese security from inside the plane and was kept in custody for nearly two months before his release.
Nonetheless al-Koda affirmed his adherence to the principle of toppling the regime and held a press conference that day urging the government to open up to the political and armed opposition and called on it to propose mechanisms for dialogue, particularly allowing liberties and ending crackdown on dissenters as well as newspapers.
He also praised SRF saying they enjoy high morals and Islamic values.
In his remarks today, al-Koda described the kickoff of the dialogue that took place last Saturday as “not encouraging” but emphasized the need to participate even if it appeared weak.
He predicted that influential political figures will join the dialogue adding that boycotting will not bring people closer to results.
” I am happy to be in my country which I have missed for nearly two and a half years,” al-Koda said.
He explained that he considers himself a proponent of dialogue and therefore his presence in Sudan at this time is one of his duties.
Al-Koda said he has faith in the guarantees and pledges made by Bashir to dialogue participants that they will be face from harassment or arrest.
He also suggested that he could return permanently to Sudan if conditions change.
(ST)