Representatives of Sudan’s governemnt and opposition told Radio Tamazuj that they have not yet received any invitation from the AU mediation to the planned National Dialogue preparatory meeting. The meeting was provisionally announced for today in Addis Ababa but the arrangements apparently were not finalized in time.
Sudan’s Minister of Information Ahmed Bilal Osman, who is also a member of the ‘7+7’ organizing committee of the National Dialogue said Sunday that they are in contact with the African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki but there are procedural matters to be finalized first.
The meeting is meant to include the Sudanese government, 7+7 committee, opposition parties, and armed Sudanese movements in Addis Ababa. The government official pointed out that the invitation will be extended to the parties involved after procedures are completed.
Meanwhile, the head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Jibril Ibrahim said the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) likewise has not yet received the invitation to attend the preparatory meeting.
Jibril expressed concerns that the invitations would be extended only to the Sudan Revolutionary Front, the National Umma Party and the Sudanese government. The rebel leader said the invitations should be sent to everyone so the dialogue can come out with positive results.
Separately, First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Saleh reiterated his government’s commitment to reach a just and inclusive peace agreement. He pointed out that his government strives to achieve political consensus on all issues and fundamental interests of the country.
In his speech on Saturday during the China-Africa cooperation summit in South Africa, Bakri regretted what he term “impossible conditions” and decisions taken by the rebels to reject the dialogue process in spite of the government’s efforts to create a conducive atmosphere by declaring a unilateral ceasefire and general amnesty.
File photo: AUHIP chief mediator Thabo Mbeki