National dialogue document is ‘roadmap’ to national agreement, says Sudanese official

A member of the Executive Bureau of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) described on Tuesday the national dialogue document as a “roadmap to a stage of national agreement,” Quds Press has reported. Rabie Abdelati noted that the document was signed by many of the leaders of Sudan’s political parties.

“The next step after passing the document is to start constitutional amendments in the current parliament,” he told Quds Press. “This is necessary to create the position of prime minister, form a national agreement government and hold elections.”

The official noted that these steps would be carried out based on what was agreed upon by those who took part in the dialogue conference. He also said that there is a committee to follow up the procedures of the agreement. Abdelati reiterated that the output of the national dialogue represents a political achievement for all of the Sudanese people and an important stage for reinforcing peace in the country.

Regarding relations with the leaders of armed groups and political parties who did not take part in the dialogue, he said, “The leader of the National Ummah Party, Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, contacted President Omar Al-Bashir and wished success for the efforts.” Abdelati pointed out that the door “is not closed” to anyone who wants to join the national dialogue.

President Al-Bashir, the sponsor of the national dialogue, received the national document on Monday after it was agreed and signed by those political leaders who took part in the process. The receipt of the document was witnessed by international and regional officials as well as the presidents of Egypt, Chad, Mauritania and Uganda, along with the Secretary General of the Arab League.