Turabi: the opposition's inability to topple the regime led us to agree to dialogue

The Sudanese opposition’s inability overthrow the regime has led the People’s Congress party to accept the president’s invitation for National Dialogue, party leader Hassan Al-Turabi said.

Speaking during a conference in Khartoum yesterday, Al-Turabi expressed his confidence in the success of the talks which he believes will bring an end to the chances of fragmenting the country. He went on to say that the only thing holding the opposition together at the moment is “hatred” of the ruling regime in Khartoum, explaining that “if he who unites them dies or is overthrown, then nothing will unite them afterwards”.

He painted a bleak picture of the Sudanese situation, pointing out that most of the treasury’s funds go towards the army and security.

Al-Turabi stressed his rejection of the constitutional amendments which President Omar Al-Bashir put forward to parliament which help broaden the powers to tighten their grip on local governments.

Adding that “the mind cannot come around to the idea that the state tells it that you are not eligible to choose your state government, but you are welcome to choose the country’s president.”