Opposition set “impossible conditions” to join Sudan’s dialogue: FVP
December 5, 2015 (JOHANSBURG) – Sudan’s First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Salih has criticized the holdout political and armed opposition groups for refusing to participate in the national dialogue conference, saying they set impossible conditions to join the peace process.
But he expressed regret that some opposition parties boycotted the conference.
“Despite the efforts we made to create [conducive] climate [for holding the dialogue] by declaring a unilateral ceasefire and offering amnesty, the rebels and armed bearers have set impossible conditions and refused to join the dialogue process,” he said
Salih underscored government keenness to reach an inclusive and just peace, saying they would seriously seek to achieve political consensus on the nation’s core issues and interests.
The government-led national dialogue conference was inaugurated in Khartoum on Saturday amid large boycott from the major political and armed opposition.
The opposition forces refuse to join the dialogue and demand the implementation of the confidence building measures included in the African Union roadmap as the stopping of the war, release of political detainees, ensuring political and press freedoms and freedom of expression.
But the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the political forces participating in the dialogue say they wouldn’t accept any prerequisites and that all issues must be brought to the negotiating table.
CHINA AND AFRICA
He pointed that Sudan and several African nations have been negatively affected by the unjust policies in the international arena particularly those pertaining to the results and repercussions of the “new colonization” which takes various forms and aims to achieve the goals and interests of certain countries and forces.
Sudan’s First Vice-President further praised African and friendly nations and the African Union Commission (AUC) for their positive input in Sudan’s issues, expressing satisfaction over the strong African stance against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the AU’s support for an en masse withdrawal from it.
He pointed that the Africa-China cooperation which entered its 15th year represents an example to be followed in the international cooperation, saying it was based on mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs.
Salih further noted the FOCAC reflects China’s pioneering and leading role in the international relations.
“China proved to be a sincere friend and reliable partner for the entire African nations. It has offered several important initiatives and constructive ideas through the FOCAC which achieved tangible results that effectively participated to transforming the face of the African continent,” he said.
MEETING AFRICAN LEADERS
Meanwhile, Salih has met with several African leaders including South Sudan’s President Silva Kiir Myardit, Angola’s President José Eduardo dos Santos and Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou.
Sudan’s foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour told the official news agency (SUNA) that Salih discussed with South Sudan’s president ways for promoting bilateral relations to serve the joint interests.
He pointed the meeting also touched upon the implementation of the cooperation agreements signed between the two countries besides the need to support peace and stability in both countries for the benefit of the two parties.
According to Ghandour, Salih also discussed with Eduardo dos Santos bilateral ties and means for promoting joint cooperation in the entire fields besides the regional and international issues of common interest.
He pointed the meeting also importance to speed up procedures for completing the diplomatic representation between the two countries particularly as Sudan has opened its embassy in Angola.
Also, Ghandour said that Salih discussed with the Nigerien president ways for promoting bilateral relations to serve the interests of the two nations and peoples.
He pointed that Issoufou underscored that relations between the countries are at their strongest level, saying the two sides agreed to reject the ICC which only targets African leaders.
(ST)