Sudanese opposition alliance ready to resume talks with government

KHARTOUM, Mar 11, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — Informed sources within the Sudanese opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have indicated that the Alliance had notified the Egyptian government of its readiness to enter into negotiations the beginning of next week, Sudan Media Centre reported.

Sudanese minister Nafei Ali Nafei (L) exchanges the signed peace accord with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Vice president Abdulrahman Saeed in Cairo, January 16, 2005 .

In the same regard, Kamal Obeid, the secretary of external relations of the ruling party, has denied information saying that the Egyptian government had conveyed to Khartoum what the NDA mentioned with regards to the negotiations.

The NDA accused the government of being responsible for the delay of the Cairo negotiations. But the government said that it was the NDA which requested for the postponement of the Cairo talks.

The opposition alliance had also hinted that it would turn to the streets and cause civil disobedience as a way opposing government’s insistence on sidelining it in drafting the constitution for the transitional period.

The Sudanese NDA concluded approved, in its meetings yesterday in the Eritrean capital last month, the Cairo agreement signed between the NDA and the government, on Sunday January 16, 2005.

However, the NDA had some reservations on four points and called for its amendment in the coming round of talks slated for next week. According to NDA’s resolution, some of the articles were generally stipulated without specifications, thereby calling for details and decisive stipulations.

This, particularly touches on the article concerning judicial bodies and economic issues, particularly on corruption and the looting of public wealth, and guiding the issue of the armed forces and other regular forces to a committee which will be formed by the transitional government at the right time.