Sudanese opposition leaders gather for summit in Paris

Leaders of Sudan’s opposition movements have begun to arrive in Paris for a summit that will represent the first face-to-face meeting of the National Umma Party (NUP) leader El Sadig El Mahdi with leaders of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF, an alliance of the main rebel movements). “It is the aim of the two parties to unite opposition forces and reach a comprehensive solution that leads to change and true democratic transformation in Sudan,” SRF Vice President and official spokesman El Tom Hajo told Radio Dabanga on Tuesday. The talks with El Sadig El Mahdi will continue on Wednesday and Thursday. Hago expressed hope for a deal and said that such meetings would continue with all political players and the forces of national consensus, to seek unity within the opposition. Speaking to Radio Dabanga from Paris, Dr Maryam El Sadig, Vice Chairman of the Umma Party for External Relations confirmed the arrival of El Mahdi in the French capital Tuesday. “The meeting between the Umma Party delegation and the SRF will revolve around the issue of Sudan as a whole, especially the issue of national dialogue. It will seek to reach a common vision to be inclusive of all national forces in order to find a way conducive to a comprehensive peace, democratic transformation, and a complete change of the political situation in the country. Picture: National Umma Party (NUP) leader El Sadig El Mahdi (third from left) is greeted by delegates on arrival in Paris on Tuesday (Radio Dabanga)Related:Umma Party deputy head denied exit from Sudan (6 August 2014) Sudan’s rebels to unify opposition forces (28 July 2014)