Sudan’s Al-Bashir pledges new resolutions to promote 'National Dialogue'

The Sudanese government will issue new measures within the coming days “to boost the National Dialogue initiative,” the country’s president, Omar Al-Bashir, announced yesterday.

“The agreed National Dialogue initiative must be the basic reference. It seeks a comprehensive dialogue with the involvement of all the political groups,” Bashir told the Sudanese lawmakers.

The Sudanese leader called on all the political parties to “participate in the dialogue” and “to put forward their ideas.”

“We [Sudan’s government] are committed to supporting all our citizens, regardless of their political affiliations,” Bashir told the parliament, stressing that his government would pursue the country’s reform based on “justice and transparency with a view to ensuring Sudan’s continued stability.”

READ: Sudan police disperse ‘illegal gatherings’

“I have also ordered the cabinet to adopt appropriate measures regarding state institutions and to carry out necessary reforms to the civil service while promoting good governance, rule of law, and human rights,” he added.

On the African country’s continuing street protests, Bashir pointed out that some of the anti-government protestors’ demands were “legitimate,” adding the other demonstrators had “unlawful ways and destroyed national properties.”

Bashir also warned that some of the Sudanese political groups were trying “to use the demonstrations to serve their own political objectives.”

READ: There is no real change in Sudan’s new government and protests are ongoing

Since last December Sudanese cities have been witnessing major protests against price hikes. Protesters demand that Bashir step down as president. According to government statistics, 32 persons died during the protests. Rights groups believe the number is much higher.

Bashir, 75, who swept to power in a 1989 Islamist-backed coup, initially imposed a year-long state of emergency but lawmakers have cut it to six months.

Protests in Sudan – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]