Ex-PM proposes Sudanese peace plan

Former Sudanese Prime Minister and leader of the opposition Umma Party, Sadiq al-Mahdi, has proposed a new initiative to bring peace to Sudan. The former leader hopes to end ongoing disputes between Sudan and South Sudan, warning that the breakout of war could cost over $100bn. Mahdi condemning Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) following its refusal to negotiate with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N), the group allegedly responsible for an armed insurrection in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. Speaking at a press conference in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, Mahdi dismissed the current situation as “mutual suicide,” criticising the Sudanese government for its threats to opposition groups. “Government threats do not intimidate me,” Mahdi claimed, adding that opposition blocs must “organise and restructure” to confront President Omar al-Bashir’s administration. NCP leader Hassan Turabi has previously attacked Mahdi, accusing him of seeking to gain control over various opposition forces. Mahdi highlighted 12 reasons which suggested Bashir’s government was on its way out, which included the failure of peace talks with South Sudan and Darfur, a brain drain leaving the country and an ongoing economic crisis in the country.