Sudan’s al-Bashir calls on opposition to join new govt

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM

In the run-up to the formation of a transitional government in Sudan, President Omar al-Bashir on Friday called on the country’s opposition to join the process.

The “consensus” government is being drawn up based on recommendations issued by the government’s “national dialogue” initiative with the opposition.

The initiative, launched by al-Bashir three years ago, ended in 2016 with a number of recommendations.

These recommendations included the formation of a new government; finalizing the peace process with rebel groups; allowing wider participation by opposition parties; and drawing up a new constitution to guarantee public freedoms.

Sudan’s main opposition parties, however, boycotted the dialogue initiative and have so far refused to take part in the new government’s formulation.

Addressing members of his ruling National Congress Party (NCP) on Friday, al-Bashir reiterated calls to the opposition to join the governing process, pledging that the new government would guarantee democratic transformation, pubic freedoms, accountability, good governance and transparency.

He went on to say that the incoming government -- along with a comprehensive reform program -- would be unveiled in the coming days.

“We are open to the notion of continuing our participatory approach to the dialogue process and invite all the boycotters to take part,” he said.

"We are committed to implementing all recommendations that came out of the dialogue and will unveil the new government in the week ahead," he added.

"We also call on the ruling party to adopt the program of political reform, hold consultations with other parties and embrace the spirit of democracy for the good of the country," the president asserted.

Earlier this week, Sudan’s parliament approved a raft of constitutional amendments aimed at paving the way for the new government.