Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said that Sudan has a valuable opportunity to agree on a regime with a solid foundation, saying that achieving peace is the main challenge for his government.
Speaking in a meeting with the editors-in-chief of some newspapers, Hamdok asserted that peace can’t be achieved by signing agreements alone, saying it must be accompanied by social reconciliations and further stressing determination to dismantle the Islamist regime.
He highlighted the importance of achieving justice as part of the constitutional document governing the transitional period, stressing the need to dismantle the regime of June 30 and recovering stolen funds.
Hamdok also praised the partnership between civilians and military officials, especially that similar experiences have previously failed and led to wars.
He concluded by saying that patience is required to overcome the complications.
The PM highlighted that peace can’t be attained until they agree on governance, noting that the country needs a single national army, according to al-Jareeda local newspaper.
Negotiations are taking place in Juba, South Sudan, between armed movements and the transitional government.
Hamdok stressed the importance of all movements participating in the talks, which do not include Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu and Sudanese Liberation Movement led by Abdul Wahid al-Nur.
Meanwhile, Hamdok promised to achieve balanced international and strategic relations with South Sudan, and maintain eternal relations with Egypt and Ethiopia.
He also lauded the diplomacy with Saudi Arabia and UAE, describing them as “good.”
Asked about the political mission expected to be sent to Sudan as an alternative to the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), Hamdok said Sudan asked for UN’s help to address the country’s needs during the transition.
He indicated that his government will not neglect its national sovereignty, noting that the mission will include all of Sudan without a military component.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) asked the Transitional Sovereign Council and government to declare June 3rd, the first anniversary of the peaceful sit-in at the army’s general command, a national day of mourning.
The Association, which led the protests that toppled the Islamist regime of former President Omar al-Bashir, said in a press release that it awaits the government’s response to its formal request to put flags at half-mast and announce the massacre in front of the general command a national day.