Kamal Omar, the political secretary of the Sudanese opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP), has accused the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of delaying the National Dialogue.

The reaction comes after a member of the dialogue coordinating body known as 7+7 announced they will ask President Omar al-Bashir to delay the start of the process until October to allow the dialogue committees to make more preparations.

On a weekly programme broadcast by Radio Tamazuj today, Omar said they reject the proposal to delay the national dialogue. He stressed that the stoppage of war and the issue of freedoms should be prioritized.

He pointed out that the national dialogue has been repeatedly postponed for unjustifiable reasons. “It was postponed due to elections, inauguration of the president, cabinet reshuffle, and then Ramadan, and now they talk of its postponement until after the Hajj (pilgrimage),” he said.

Omar accused political parties which are 7+7 members of implementing the ruling party's agenda.

He reiterated his party's objection to the postponement of the dialogue, saying they will put pressure and call for a meeting of a high coordinating committee next week. He added that they will invite the General Assembly for the resumption of the national dialogue process.

File photo: PCP Secretary-General Kamal Omar