An alliance bringing together Sudanese political and armed opposition parties under the “Sudan Appeal” on Monday signed an African Union proposed roadmap for peace.
Representatives of the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Minni Arko Minnawi, the SPLM-North and the leader of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) signed the document.
Last March, the Khartoum government unilaterally signed the roadmap, but the opposition group declined to sign the deal.
Mahmoud Kan, head of the AU liaison office in Khartoum, told the Sudanese News Centre that the signing of the peace roadmap by the opposition group is an important and historic step that is likely to contribute to achieving comprehensive peace and push for development and stability in Sudan.
“Sincerity of intentions and integrity are the first guarantor for the success of the process which in turn will lead to speeding up cessation of hostilities and ceasefire once and for all the war-affected areas in Sudan,” said Kan.
Meanwhile, head of the Sudanese government negotiating delegation Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid vowed to enter into negotiations with the Sudan Appeal alliance after the signing of the deal.
Speaking to reporters in Khartoum shortly before his delegation left to Addis Ababa yesterday evening, Hamid said that the government delegation will embark on meetings with the opposition force immediately.
The Sudanese official expressed hope that the other parties would demonstrate the same political will and join negotiations.
Bishara Juma Arur, member of the government delegation, said that the negotiations would start on Tuesday between the government delegation and the opposition alliance.
The African Union peace roadmap deal provides for arrangements related to ceasefire in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur regions, besides the peace process involving the armed opposition in the ongoing National Dialogue in Khartoum.