Rebel demands international mediator at Sudan’s national dialogue

Minni Arko Minawi, the head of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) and the Deputy President of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) has described President Omar Al Bashir’s invitation to the rebel movements to come to Khartoum and offering them guarantees to attend the national dialogue as “illogical”. Minawi told Radio Dabanga that they demand the National Congress Party government to sit with the SRF in a neutral platform outside Sudan, in the presence of an international mediator, and under international auspices. “To reach a comprehensive and final agreement beginning with the humanitarian cause and the security protocol that lay the foundations for a negotiated new Sudan”, he explained. Regarding Al Bashir’s announcement about allowing freedoms and political activity, Minawi said: “What is required is abolishing freedom restricting laws, which is constitutional and legal process. The freedom of press, public, private, and personal freedoms are normal citizens’ rights and not gifts from the presidents, governments or parties.” The ruling National Congress Party considered granting the rebel movements guarantees to give their opinion during the national dialogue. “The rebel movements will have the option to leave, should they not agree,” the ruling National Congress Party’s political secretary Mustafa Osman Ismail said during a news conference in Nyala, South Darfur, last month. File photo: Members of the SLM-MM and leader Minni Arko Minawi (left) during their participation at the in a workshop on peace and security in Darfur held in Addis Ababa (Albert González Farran/Unamid) Related: ‘Sudan dialogue meeting between Islamists’: rebel leader (8 April 2014)