Jibril Ibrahim: Failure of AUHIP talks to revive Sudan roadmap ‘bizarre’
The latest round of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP)’s consultations with Sudanese parties in Addis Ababa (December 9-13) ended in failure for reasons that are quite bizarre, according to a statement by Jibril Ibrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and deputy head of the Sudan Call alliance. Ibrahim suggests that “AUHIP needs to revisit its modus operandi”.
Jibril Ibrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and deputy head of the Sudan Call alliance
The latest round of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP)’s consultations with Sudanese parties in Addis Ababa (December 9-13) ended in failure for reasons that are quite bizarre, according to a statement by Jibril Ibrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and deputy head of the Sudan Call alliance. Ibrahim suggests that “AUHIP needs to revisit its modus operandi”.
Ibrahim’s statement follows the suspension by AUHIP of consultations in Addis Ababa to discuss the peace roadmap amendments for an indefinite term on Thursday.
The mediating panel, under the chairmanship of former South African President Thabo Mbeki, wrapped up the consultations with the Sudanese parties without meeting the Sudan Call coalition.
AUHIP publicly stated to the Sudan Call alliance that it only wants to meet with the National Umma Party (NUP), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) armed opposition and the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minawi (SLM-MM). It excluded the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) faction headed by Malik Agar and other political opposition groups including the Sudanese Congress Party.
The panel explained that the participation of such non-signatories in the consultations would contradict “the objectives of the meeting”. “As a result, the consultations could not be completed,” the AUHIP statement reads.
Sudan Call
Ibrahim: “The Sudan Call was looking forward to substantive discussions with President Mbeki on how to achieve a conducive environment that could lead to an inclusive political process and a comprehensive political settlement.
“Such discussions are particularly urgent at a time when Sudan faces a plethora of problems, including fuel, bread and transport shortages, hyperinflation and a sharply depreciating currency, not to mention serious human rights violations and the continued suffering of millions in the conflict zones.
“Although the AUHIP-led peace process has been dormant for a long time, the Sudan Call has continued to reiterate its commitment to the Road Map Agreement and to prepare for the eventual resumption of the Road Map process by sending President Mbeki its position papers in advance of this latest round.
“To the disappointment of the Sudan Call, however, President Mbeki refused to meet their delegation in Addis and insisted that he would only be prepared to meet three of the Sudan Call’s four signatories. When the Sudan Call refused to accept these restrictions, the AUHIP issued a concluding statement claiming that its insistence on the participation of non-signatories in the consultations was a position that contradicted the objectives of the meeting. As a result, the consultations could not be completed.
Unfair
“This characterisation of the reasons for failure of the latest round is completely unfair, Ibrahim argues. “All correspondence sent by Imam El Sadig El Mahdi to President Mbeki about the Road Map Process over the last two years has been signed in his capacity as chairman of the Sudan Call, not as Chair of the National Umma Party. The Panel’s invitation letter of 26 November was similarly addressed to him as chairman. It is true that this letter referred to inviting a delegation of signatories of the Road Map Agreement for consultations but the Imam made it clear in his response on 28 November that the persons who would be coming to the consultations would represent the Sudan Call, including members of its Leadership Council in addition to the signatories.”
Ibrahim says that the Sudan Call delegation went to Addis in good faith seeking to engage with the AUHIP on substantive issues. “The delegation was extremely disappointed that they were not allowed to do so, particularly given the increasingly critical situation in Sudan. If President Mbeki is indeed willing to interact with members of the Sudan Call, as he assured the Imam Al Sadiq al Mahdi on 12 December, then we hope the Panel will reconsider the restrictive approach they took in Addis this week and listen to the views of all stakeholders in Sudan’s political process, particularly those who are seeking a fully inclusive process for a just peace and a comprehensive political settlement leading to democratic transformation,” Ibrahim concludes.
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