Mediation Success Depends on Resolution of Security Dossiers

Khartoum - The Political Sector of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) affirmed its consent to all major issues raised with the head of the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thambo Mbeki within the framework of ongoing arrangements to resume negotiations between Khartoum and Juba based on the UN Security Council Resolution which calls for tackling security dossiers first.

NCP spokesperson Badreldin Ahmed Ibrahim stated that security arrangements are the core and main point for the Sudanese government, adding that if the security issues are not settled completely followed by the demarcation of borders and expulsion of rebels from the South, the mediation will not be able to move ahead to the other pending issues between the two countries.

He pointed out that in the framework of good will and based on Mbeki's request the Sudanese government released the four foreigners who were arrested in Heglig area. This indicates the keenness of the government and its emphasis on peace with neigbours and all regions.

He described the decision of the US Congress to cut off aid from the states hosting Al-Bashir as not new but it is only American's threat against some states that have interests with it, adding that the issue was decided in the AU framework that there will be no dealing with the ICC. This behaviour of the USA contravenes the international norms that call for resolving issues within the international and regional organizations, calling on the US to be impartial and leave the issue to the Security Council and halt instigating countries against Sudan, pointing out that there is no need for this open hostility.

Badreldin also downplayed the accusations of the State of the South against Sudan as Islamic fundamentalist state. He said these accusations come in the framework of political propaganda and scaring people of Islam, stressing that Sudan proved that it respects the rights of religions and calls for religious coexistence and Southerners know more than others the value of this coexistence in Sudan.

Commenting on the opposition's call to the masses to revolt against the regime due to the current economic situation, he said the people tried all governments and saw its development and economic achievements.