The United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway yesterday issued a joint statement saying the current environment in Sudan is not conducive for ‘credible’ elections.
These three Western powers – known in Sudan as the ‘Troika’ – also pointed out that Sudan’s ruling party recently rejected an invitation by the African Union to participate in a preparatory meeting about National Dialogue.
“The members of the Troika… express great disappointment that a genuine National Dialogue has not begun in Sudan and that an environment conducive to participatory and credible elections does not exist,” reads the statement.
The Troika noted that they support a “comprehensive and inclusive” National Dialogue process.
“The Government of Sudan signaled in January 2014 its intent to initiate a National Dialogue, but has since failed to advance a genuine process in good faith. Last week, it rejected the African Union’s invitation to a preparatory meeting with other National Dialogue stakeholders to solidify a common understanding of the dialogue process,” the Western governments said.
Photo: A campaign poster in Khartoum (Radio Tamazuj)