The deadline set by the African Union High Implementation Panel led by Thabo Mbeki for Sudanese rebels and the Nation Umma Party to sign the roadmap which resulted from the consultative meeting in Addis Ababa has passed.

The Sudanese government already signed the document, but the opposition groups said the roadmap was biased toward the government. 

The roadmap called for the opposition groups to join the National Dialogue process, but the opposition said political issues should be discussed in an inclusive consultative meeting in Addis Ababa.

They added that they want to adhere to previous decisions by the AU Peace and Security Council regarding negotiations over ceasefires and humanitarian access.

In related news, Amin Hassan Omer the Official of Darfur file said Mbeki told all parties that the Sudan peace file will be referred to the African Peace and Security Council, saying that he expects the file will not be referred to the UN Security Council.