Sudan’s FM, German mediation body discuss upcoming peace talks

November 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese foreign minister Sunday discussed with the head of German institution for mediation, Berghof Foundation, the ongoing efforts to hold successful talks with the armed groups within two weeks.

The African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) is expected to organize two separate meetings between the government and rebel groups from 16 to 19 November to discuss a cessation of hostilities agreement in the Two Areas and Darfur.

After what, a mini pre-dialogue meeting between the warring parties will be held with the participation of the National Umma Party (NUP) to discuss the implementation of the confidence building measures before they join the national dialogue conference.

In statements extended to Sudan Tribune, the spokesperson of the foreign ministry, Ali al-Sadiq, said the meeting between Ibrahim Ghandour and Theodore Murphy tackled the national dialogue process, preparations for the upcoming talks in Addis Ababa and the situation in the Horn of Africa region.

Murphy and Ghandour “had identical positions on national dialogue and the need for preparations to guarantee the success of efforts to achieve stability and reconciliation in Sudan,” Sadiq further said.

The Sudanese diplomat expected that the German institution holds several meetings on the sidelines of talks with the rebel groups and holdout political forces to narrow the gaps between them and the government.

Berghof Foundation with the support of the German foreign ministry organized last February a meeting for the ‘Sudan Call’ forces. At the end of the forum the Sudanese opposition groups issued the ‘Berlin Declaration’ where they agreed to meet the government in a preparatory meeting for the national dialogue.

In November 2014, the German foreign ministry and AUHIP signed a strategic partnership agreement providing to facilitate the efforts of the African mechanism to end the armed conflicts in Sudan.

(ST)