‘We are the only party keen to end the war in all of Sudan’

How do you view the government’s clampdown on parties who signed the New Dawn Charter (NDC), a deal inked by most major opposition parties at the start of the year with the goal of toppling the regime?

All political forces, the government, and weapon bearers, will sit together to build a comprehensive and just peace in Sudan.”The government has no right to launch such an attack. We have a roadmap or National Salvation Project consisting of a comprehensive conference or a roundtable meeting, similar to the CODESA negotiations in South Africa, where all political forces, the government, and weapon bearers, will sit together to build a comprehensive and just peace in Sudan and achieve full democratic transition. Our brothers in the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) welcomed the idea, but there is an implementation error because they did not consult us about the agenda and the invitees.

We believe that the meeting of political opposition forces is a big step. Moreover, the recent agreement between Yusuf Koda and Malik Agar represents a breakthrough and step forward on the issue. Of course, we have given the name ‘New Dawn’ to the opposition charter, but its content is not ours, and we have fundamental reservations against it, expressed in our released statement.

We firmly believe that a military solution takes the country to a dangerous brink we do not want Sudan to slide into.

But the government believes that the parties’ disavowal of the NDC is simply a tactical move?

First of all, it is not a question of disavowal. In November 2012, we signed with SRF (Sudan Revolutionary Front) represented by Yasir Arman. We discussed with them the need for a peaceful political settlement because a military solution would fragment the country. We are the first party to achieve a breakthrough by contacting SRF.

As regards the government’s claims, we have nothing to back down from. Our position to achieve a comprehensive political solution is constant and we have been discussing with the government about that since 2000, starting with the Homeland Appeal, to the National Reconciliation, through the National Agenda, and ending with the National Salvation.

What about the talk that the New Dawn Charter was financed by Western groups led by the US and the European Union?

We have no clue about the financier.

Was the content of the New Dawn Charter your idea?

No. Our idea was to gather the Sudanese, and we only gave the charter its name.

You are part of the conference, and you have a delegate who is Salah Mannaa; yet, you do not know its financier or supporter?

Yes. We went to the meeting on the understanding that it comprised all the Sudanese political forces, and Salah Mannaa went there to represent our party.

Have you ascertained that there has been no foreign funding or support for NDC?

Assume there is a foreign support, any such support may be provided by external civil society organisations interested in nations’ stability. Besides, the government itself might have foreign sources of support. We are the only party that believes that any financier would impose its agenda.

Does that mean you reject any foreign funding for any party activities?

Definitely.

You have said Mr. Koda’s joining NDC signatories represented a significant step forward. What are the type and salient features of this shift?

The concept of self-determination no longer exists.”It is in NDC itself since the paper signed by Koda and Agar contains three things: firstly, Sudan’s unity, meaning that the concept of self-determination no longer exists; secondly, they spoke about referring the disputed issues, including relationship between religion and state to the Constitutional Congress; and thirdly, the political settlement option.

National Consensus Forces have agreed to continue dialogue with the other parties about NDC, including SRF. What are the mechanisms used to enforce it? Will there be more meetings as happened in Kampala?

We have not reached a dead end, and we are keeping contacts (open). As regards the National Salvation document and in a bid to reach the concerned parties, we contacted them and sent our representatives, led by Ms. Mariam who presented the document. We waited for their opinion and comments.

Another meeting took place when Sadiq al-Mahdi traveled to London and met with Arman, and a document was signed along with Ali al-Hajj.

Do you not fear any harassment by the government regarding this aspect since it considers such an action against it?

The government will certainly be irritated, but we will see where the government’s irritation will get it.

The Political Parties Affairs Council (PPAC) has threatened of resorting to the Constitution to incriminate you, considering that the NDC signatories have violated the rules, regulations and laws governing political action?
 
We have tried that (military) option and found it to be useless.”PPAC has many duties to undertake. Some parties have militias organised all over Sudan. Should PPAC be concerned with enforcing the Constitution, we would be more than happy. As far as we are concerned, we can defend ourselves because we have not signed NDC and have reservations about it. They should know that NUP is against military action. We have tried that option and found it to be useless. Consequently, we, as political forces, are concerned about the nation’s interests. Besides, we are the only party which is keen to end the war in all parts of Sudan.

Which are the parties that have armed militias?

They surely exist, but there is no need to mention names.