SPLM-SLM alliance is not yet sealed, talks continue to include JEM
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Ethiopia’s PM meets SPLM-N’s leader over resumption of talks with Khartoum
August 10, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — The recently announced agreement between
the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and two factions
of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) is the first step in the
negotiations between the opposition forces, Sudan Tribune has learnt.
JPEG - 21.7 kb
Rebel forces watch during the visit of Joint Special Representative
(JSR) Ibrahim Gambari at Fanga Suk village, in East Jebel Marra (West
Darfur), March 18, 2011. (Reuters)
A reliable source who preferred anonymity said the negotiations
between SPLM-N, Justice and Equality Movement, (JEM), SLM-Abdel-Wahid
Al-Nur (SLM-AW), and SLM- Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) will continue to
bridge the gaps between the parties over the contentious issues in
order to reach a final agreement.
On 7 August SPLM-N, SLM-AW and SLM-MM inked a political deal
announcing the establishment of the Sudan’s Revolutionary Front
Alliance (SRFA). The three signatories agreed to unite their political
and military means to overthrow the regime of the National Congress
Party (NCP) and to set up a liberal and secular state in the country.
The agreement was put out after a series of talks including SPLM-N the
SLM factions of AW and MM and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
The four parties diverged over the place of religion in the post-NCP
regime. The SPLM-N and the two SLM factions supported the idea of a
"secular state" while JEM said the SRFA manifesto should emphasize on
the "citizenship state".
The expression of citizenship state is used in Sudan to underline the
separation between the religion and politics but maintains the role of
religion in different areas related to the personal sphere like the
personal status law.
The 7 August deal, according to the mechanism set up by the four
parties, had to remain secret and to be discussed at a presidential
conference gathering the head of the four political forces, the source
said.
The forty member conference have to finalize "an agreement signed by
the leaders the parties," he stressed.
JEM officials reached by Sudan Tribune earlier this week said there
was no difference over the separation between the state and the
religion with the other three groups, but they stressed that the
divergence was at the level of the "drafting" of the text. But they
reiterated their commitment to the idea of preventing any political
exploitation of religion.
The source who disclosed the details of the process regretted that the
deal has been revealed at this stage. He stressed that JEM is working
effectively with the SPLM in South Kordofan and the difference on this
point will not alter the good relations between the two groups.
The leading official further said that besides the political platform
there is a structural organization the parties have to achieve.
SPLM-N Secretary General Yasir Arman, who is in charge of the process
told the opposition Hurriyat website this week that his movement will
extend its hand to all the other Sudanese political forces willing to
achieve change and democracy in Sudan.
The Sudanese government slammed the rapprochement between the SPLM-N
and Darfur rebel groups saying it aims to destabilize the political
stability in the country after the sging of Doha peace agreement with
the Liberation and Justice Movement.
Nafie Ali Nafie, presidential assistant, accused the movement of
working with foreign circles to harm his government, while other
officials openly accused the South Sudan ruling party, the SPLM, of
supporting the SPLM-N and Darfur armed movements.
ETHIOPIA MEDIATES BETWEEN SPLM-N AND NCP
The leader of the SPLM-North, Malik Aggar met Wednesday with the
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zinawi who was approached by the
Sudanese presidency requesting him to narrow the divergences between
the two parties.
President Omer Al-Bashir rejected on 7 July a framework accord reached
by his assistant and NCP deputy chairman Nafie with Aggar in Addis
Ababa on 29 June aiming to consolidate a truce in South Kordofan and
to negotiate a political settlement to the conflict.
Analysts agree that Bashir’s decision to renounce the deal was
dictated by the army which seeks to play an important in the political
arena, as the ruling party witnesses divisions and frictions.
The SPLM-N refuses to resume talks with Khartoum without a foreign
mediation. It also says committed to the 29 June agreement brokered by
former South African President Thabo Mbeki who chairs an African Union
panel on Sudan.
Aggar who is the governor of Blue Nile state last week said he refuses
to meet Bashir in his capacity as leader of the SPLM-N but he is
willing to meet the president as a governor to tackle the issue of his
state.
Also, it is not yet clear whether Khartoum wants Addis Ababa to
undertake a new mediation or to seek the resumption of the interrupted
process engaged by Mbeki.
(ST)
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