The Sudanese government and SPLA-North have accused each other of lacking commitment in ongoing talks about the South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions.

In press statements after a joint meeting, Yassir Arman, the head of the SPLA-N delegation at the talks accused the government of wasting time by delaying to answer questions asked by the AUHIP mediation.

He also accused the National Congress Party (NCP) of trying to dominate the constitutional dialogue, likening it to the Kenana Conference. He called on the NCP to work for bringing an end to the one-party system so that an inclusive dialogue is achieved in Sudan.

Meanwhile, the government chief negotiator Ibrahim Ghandour instead accused the SPLA-North of bringing in topics that are irrelevant to the Two Areas.

He disclosed that the questions raised by the African Union mediation will be answered within the draft framework agreement which was incomplete during the last round of talks.  

The presidential assistant further said they came to the talks in order to complete the framework agreement. He pointed out that the contentious points were how a permanent ceasefire could be reached, security arrangements as well as formation of three thematic committees, besides participation in the national dialogue.  

Ghandour added that he AUHIP mediation asked the parties involved during the meeting to negotiate the framework agreement by approaching all contentious issues.

He revealed that the SPLA-North requested ample time to answer the questions asked by the mediators within the framework agreement. He stressed that they will never discuss Darfur in a platform for the Two Areas.

File photo: Ibrahim Ghandour