Holdout opposition groups disappointed the Sudanese people: NCP

June 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – “The opposition refrain from signing the Roadmap Agreement is a disappointment of the Sudanese people,” said the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) on Monday.

After a meeting of NCP political sector on Monday evening, NCP media Secretary Yasir Youssef regretted that the opposition Sudan Call groups have persisted in their refusal to sign the peace plan following a meeting they held in Addis Ababa.

Youssef told reporters that the government inked the Roadmap Agreement even though it does not meet all its aspirations because it is keen to stop the war and to achieve peace.

“We hoped these parties sign it in order to engage together in negotiations that end by a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire and security, humanitarian and political arrangements,” he further said.

“They should have to sign the roadmap. We, in the National Congress Party, reiterate our call for them again and again to respond to the desire of the Sudanese people and the international community advises to sign it and engage in the peace process in order to stop the war and the suffering of our people,” he said.

In statement released on Sunday, the Sudan Call groups say the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access are not enough to join the national dialogue process. They stress that the confidence building measures should include ensuring political freedoms and release of political detainees and prisoners.

The NCP official said the meeting reviewed a report by the political secretary on the preparations for the upcoming steps of the national dialogue and discussed the meetings with the armed groups to convince them to sign the roadmap.

(ST)