The political process sponsored by the United Nations and its Special Representative for Sudan, Volker Perthes, is not an initiative because it is still in its early phase, said National Umma Party Chairperson Fadlallah Baramah Nasser.
Nasser said that his party has agreed in principle to the political process and leaving details for later stages.
Perthes also heads the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Nasser clarified that the UN-backed political process is still in the phase of exploring different views and has not yet matured into an initiative.
“We are the ones who want the initiative, and as a party we accept it in principle and conduct the necessary consultations to reach it,” said Nasser.
He revealed that Perthes had contacted the military and met with head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. This could mean that the UN diplomat had received an initial agreement from the military.
On Friday, the head of the UNITAMS launched a political dialogue to reach a complete consensus between Sudanese parties in the hopes of it leading to a full democratic transition under civilian leadership.
Perthes’ move looks to end the current political crisis in the country.
On January 8, Perthes sent out an invitation to all Sudanese parties urging them to arrive to a solution that allows Sudan to escape political turmoil.
The call for holding expanded talks under Perthes’ sponsorship was made to all political parties, civil society organizations, armed movements, women’s groups and popular resistance committees.
Perthes’ call for consultations received mixed responses from Sudanese parties.
One of the major organizers of Sudan’s anti-coup protests, the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, refused an offer from the UN to mediate talks with the military.
The Association said in a statement that the “only way” out of the crisis was through the removal of the generals from the seats of power in the country.
Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, the umbrella coalition for the groups behind the protests, said it had not received any details of Perthes’ proposal.
