Sudanese opposition starts meeting in France

December 12, 2015 (PARIS) – The opposition Sudan Call forces have started discussions on ways to coordinate their positions for the upcoming round of negotiations with the Sudanese government over a cessation of hostilities deal, preparing the way for their participation in the national dialogue.

In a statement extended to Sudan TribuneThursday, the opposition groups said the agenda of the meeting includes a review of the past activities and resolutions and the general framework for alternative policies.

The political and armed forces further vowed to come out with a number of resolutions expressing the expectations of the Sudanese people.

Despite the travel ban imposed by the Sudanese security service on the representatives of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) the meeting is attended by delegates representing all the opposition forces and rebel groups.

Participating at the meeting, National Umma Party (NUP)° leader Sadiq al-Mahdi, NCF chairperson Farouk Abu Issa, Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and Yasir Arman of the SPLM-N, Gibril Ibrahim of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Minni Minnawi and Abdel Wahid al-Nur of the SLM factions, and the prominent civil rights defender Amin Mekki Madani

Also delegations from several opposition groups inspiring to join the alliance are present at the venue of the meeting which is at some 30 kilometres outside the French capital Paris.

Sources close to the meeting said the Sudanese opposition besides the adoption of a unified vision for the upcoming meeting in Addis Ababa will also decide on the demands of several political groups and the needed structures of the alliance.

The Sudan Call was established in Addis Ababa on 3 December 2014 when the opposition groups felt the need to develop the Paris Declaration between the NUP and rebel umbrella of Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF).

Next week the government will meet in separate talks with the SPLM-N to discuss a truce and humanitarian access in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states and Darfur armed groups.

After what the African mediators will organize another meeting between the government and Paris Declaration groups on the national dialogue process. The latter are expected to bring the position of the whole opposition forces to the negotiating table.

(ST)