NCP deputy chairman holds rare meeting with opposition figure

May 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – In a rare meeting, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Deputy Chairman, Ibrahim Mahmoud, met in Khartoum with the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) leading figure , Mubark al Fadil on Tuesday. The ruling party said that the meeting is a beginning for cooperation with all the leading Sudanese politicians.

In 2002, Mubarak al-Fadil had split from the National Umma Party (NUP) chaired by his cousin Sadiq al-Mahdi and formed his own party the Reform and Renovation. Up to 2005, he participated in the NCP-led government as he was appointed a presidential aide. In 2011, however dissolved his party and rejoined the NUP. But his relations with al-Mahdi remained strained

In a meeting at the Sudanese presidency in Khartoum , the two figures agreed that the “Roadmap Agreement”, brokered by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) last March, is the best way to achieve peace and political consensus in Sudan.

During the meeting, al Fadil, proposed to form a national mechanism to contact the holdout opposition groups in a bid to end their rejection of the roadmap.

Previously, al-Fadil announced his support to the “Roadmap Agreement” and criticized the opposition parties that refused to sign the peace plan.

“I have discussed with the ruling party ways to push a head the “Roadmap” and supporting peace process in Sudan,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

He further said that the regional and international conditions are favourable to support Sudan to emerge out of its crisis and to achieve peace.

“AUHIP Roadmap” has provided all the needed guarantees and laid clear bases for the discussion of key issues, rather than insisting on preconditions,” al-Fadil said.

Commenting on the student protests in several universities, the NUP figure said that violence jeopardizes stability in the universities and communities. He added they have agreed to revive “the code of honour” among students to not resort to violence and arms in universities.

Further he said it was agreed to form a panel of educators and retired senior police officers to the Student violence in universities and to find out the right measures to stop it.

On his part, NCP Political Secretary, Hamid Mumtaz, stated that the meeting has agreed on AUHIP roadmap as a base for achieving peace in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

“NCP and NUP discussed ways to improve Sudan’s relation with international community and especially with European Union and Unites States,” said Mumtaz stressing that NCP will cooperate with various Sudanese politicians to achieve the national goals and supporting political stability.

Observers in Khartoum say the ruling party sought in vain during the past months to convince NUP leader to return to Sudan and join the national dialogue and now seeks to take advantage of the internal divisions among the largest opposition party.

(ST)