November 30, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – Leader of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) has called on president Omer al-Bashir to admit the unity of the opposition groups, adding the conditions are favourable for an inclusive and comprehensive peace process in Sudan.
Sadiq al-Mahdi was speaking to reporters following a meeting held with the head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on Sunday before the departure of Thabo Mbeki to Berlin.
In his remarks al-Mahdi said a comprehensive conference with a neutral chairmanship is needed to achieve democratic transition in Sudan once the warring parties reach a cessation of hostilities .
He further wondered why the Sudanese government refuses to negotiate with the rebel alliance Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), considering the government position is the main obstacle in the current negotiations.
“The problem is that the government does not want to recognise the new reality. This reality that the weapon bearers formed one platform which is the (Sudanese) Revolutionary Front. Why the government refuses to recognise it? Particularly the (SRF) renounced call to overthrow the regime by force and its claim for self-determination,” he said.
“Why (the government) does not want to recognise the Revolutionary Front as a negotiator, and why it does not recognise the unity of the opposition which only wants a just and comprehensive peace”.
The existence of a single platform facilitates comprehensive solutions,” he emphasised.
Few hours before al-Mahdi’s remarks, president Omer al-Bashir warned the opposition parties against any agreement with the rebel groups saying it impact negatively on the morale of the Sudanese army soldiers who are fighting rebels.
He also said al-Mahdi will be tried for signing the Paris Declaration with the SRF groups.
However, ignoring Bashir’s threats, Mahdi announced the opposition forces including the NUP and National Consensus Forces (NCF) will sign a new agreement with the rebel groups.
There will be post Paris Declaration which was between the SRF and the NUP and now we want to expand the base of the agreement.
He pointed that this step is supportive to the ongoing efforts to reach a peaceful settlement because all the (opposition and rebel) parties recognise the decision 456 of the African Union Peace and Security Council and the AUHIP agreement on national dialogue and constitutional process signed by the Paris Declaration forces and the national dialogue committee.
Sudan Tribune
