Officials urge for peace and democracy in Sudan

Opposition leader al-Mahdi expressed her rejection over government charges The “New Dawn Charter,” a historic agreement recently signed between Sudanese opposition forces, has caused open controversy between opposition and government elements in Sudan.Dr Rabie Abdelati Obeid, a prominent member of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party [NCP], declared the opposition meeting in Kampala, Uganda, two days ago an "escalation," accusing groups of trying to antagonise the government.
Speaking exclusively to Arabstoday, Obeid said the Sudanese opposition was “worthless inside,” adding “that is why they work and hold their meetings abroad.”
The Sudanese politician denounced the meeting, criticising it as an act of hostility towards the country and alleged proof of Ugandan involvement in plots against it.
Meanwhile assistant to the Sudanese President Dr Nafie Ali Nafie accused the Sudanese Revolutionary Front of planning assassinations and other hostile activities. “They will not succeed in their quest,” he claimed.
Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi , a leading figure in the National Umma [NUP] opposition party revealed her party would meet on Monday to announce its position on the Kampala meeting. She also expressed her rejection of any government charges launched against the opposition.
Al-Mahdi accused the ruling NCP of internationalising Sudanese issues, pointing out that all government agreements had been signed abroad, in Doha, Naivasha, and Abuja agreements.
Many neighbouring countries had played “positive roles” in domestic Sudanese issues, the NUP member said, referring to the presence of international troops in Sudan. “The regime imposed internationalising policies when it forced seven million people out of Sudan,” she claimed.
Sudanese opposition agreed on a “peaceful uprising” join action in the New Dawn Charter, the first agreement of its kind since the collapse of the National Democratic Alliance in 2005.
The new Charter followed consultations and meetings between opposition groups and factions, youth groups and women’s organisations. An umbrella coordinating council will reportedly be formed at a later date.
Charter signatories called on all Sudanese, including the Diaspora, to bring “just peace and democracy” to the country, establishing a new national government over a four-year transitional period, afterwards replacing Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.