PCP Adamant About National Dialogue
08 September, 2014Khartoum (Sudanow)-The enthusiastic response of the opposition Popular Congress Party(PCP) towards the National Dialogue called for by the government has raised doubts and dismay among the party's former allies in the opposition camp.
Those doubts were particularly fed by the vehement activity of the PCP operatives in favour of the dialogue. Foremost among those operatives is the outspoken PCP Political Secretary Mr. Kamal Omar.
In the following interview Omar speaks to Sudanow on his party's perceptions about the national dialogue and its subsidiary 'the social dialogue' , the issues of governance, the elections and the well-publicized Paris Declaration that brought together former Prime Minister, chairman of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sadik Al-Mahdi and the leaders of the armed Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF):
Q- Is the social dialogue an alternative or a replacement of the national dialogue?
A- The social dialogue is one of the aspects of the national dialogue .Its ultimate objective is to streamline all the values, positions and ideas that ensue from the national dialogue to the entire Sudanese society..We cherish the conviction that without harmony between society and the politicians, dialogue would be that of the elite. We want to involve the public in the discussions and problem-solving. The people are the masters of the situation and, hence, should have a say in the future of their country. As for the elite, they should just formulate and express the views of the people.
Q- In your view , why did the government of the National Congress Party(NCP) put forward the idea of social dialogue?
A- It is true that the social dialogue was put forward by the government, the President in particular..But it was, in fact, part of the discussions of the 7+7 mechanism that emanated from the national dialogue processes. The 7+7 mechanism had touched upon the role of the Sufi orders, the civil society organizations, the tribal leaders , artists, sportsmen and the media. These are the components of our society..The 7+7 mechanism, together with the political parties, were all of them present in the social dialogue conference. However, the call for social dialogue had come from the President of The Republic as the head of state responsible for the implementation of the resolutions of the national dialogue. He had indicated in his address before the social dialogue conference that social dialogue was not a replacement of the national dialogue but a part of it that reacts to the issues the national dialogue discusses.
Q-The government is now going ahead with the national elections programme while the national dialogue is yet to start..What do you make of that?
A-Pessimistic political forces and other sectors of the society consider social dialogue and the holding of the elections as a rejection of the outcome of the national dialogue. This is not true. This is a reflection of the tension that engulfs the political landscape at the moment..However, we do confirm that we are heading towards a promising future at all levels, including the question of the national elections..The elections issue is one of the agenda of the national dialogue. It is not the concern of the ruling party all by itself. We have always been saying that the elections issue is a national concern. It is the Sudanese people that make decisions not the ruling party. By that definition the ruling party is on equal footing with the other political forces with respect to the question of the elections. We have talked to the ruling party on this issue. We have told them that the elections question was one of the topics being discussed within the works of the national dialogue and should not be decided upon unilaterally..Their explanation was that their institutions were operating according to time frames and laws and that the preparations for the elections do not conflict with the procedures of the national dialogue. They argued that they were just making necessary arrangements and that the Elections Commission had announced its willingness to postpone the elections if the national dialogue decides that.
Q- Some political forces , namely the National Umma Party and the Sudanese Communist Party assert that national dialogue is now defunct and buried. What do you say?
A- Every body speaks his own mind .But we say that national dialogue, as a principle, is alive. Contrary to those assertions robust development has occurred in the dialogue plan..The plan is on the march..a roadmap has been adopted for the dialogue. What we say is that the national dialogue is gaining pace..It is incredible that the bilateral Paris Declaration should supersede the national dialogue which is projected to take everybody on board. I call upon those who consider national dialogue dead to stop saying so..That is because if national dialogue dies, the entire country will die and delve into a lot of crises.
Q- What is the PCP position with respect to the Paris Declaration?
A- The PCP is a proponent of national dialogue , because this dialogue is capable of bringing solutions and happiness to the people. The Paris Declaration could have been part of the national dialogue .By the start of the national dialogue contact with the armed movements had become the right of the 7+7 mechanism. It has become the right of all national dialogue member parties .The Paris Declaration could have been a good step, had its parties worked in harmony with the national dialogue and had it been the result of the national dialogue. Conversely, the Paris Declaration had put forward new conditions for dialogue .It is enough to say that the Declaration was made in Paris. It looks like a declaration representing the international community. We are looking for a declaration that represents the Sudanese will power..The national dialogue agenda had included some points contained in the Paris Declaration..Those agenda had sought to build confidence and do contain guarantees for the armed Revolutionary Front . For that matter, the national dialogue agenda were more advanced than the Paris Declaration.
Q- Do you want to say that there is a difference between the topics contained in the Paris Declaration and those contained in the national dialogue agenda.?
A- Of course. The national dialogue agenda has encompassed all Sudan's problems whereby in the Paris Declaration the Sudan problems had showed a very week presence. The Paris Declaration contains some positive aspects but lags far behind what the national dialogue professes. It serves the interests of its signatories not those of the country at large.
Q- Even though Al-Mahdi had stated that the Paris Declaration was seeking a comprehensive settlement, yet the government had rejected it. What is your comment?
A- That is because of the government's cumulative expertise and its awareness about the conspiracies targeting Sudan .Accordingly, the government is concluding that the Sudanese people were more capable of solving their problems than foreign circles. As a party the PCP had rejected the Paris Declaration because it Stands on collision course with the nation's established principles. Such solutions had led to the cession of South Sudan, the Darfur crisis and the war in South Kordufan and the Blue Nile ..We talk about a comprehensive agreement while the Paris Declaration is a bilateral one , confined to bilateral demands .Moreover, the Paris Declaration is a bargaining card Vs the national dialogue. It considers the national dialogue a forum of Islamists, which is not true..However, if the Paris Declaration manages to lure the Revolutionary Front to the national dialogue , it could be a positive step.
Q- The opposition alliance has called for a transitional government as a pre-condition before the proposed national elections..What is your comment?
A- The problem is not in the state structure..We have a problem in the laws. I cannot accept elections to be held under freedom–restricting laws… We are seeking complete amendment of the laws. We are seeking the unity of the country…That unity can only be achieved through dialogue…Dialogue on the economic situation and all issues of governance.. These are the issues that should come before the elections process i.e. a complete groundwork for the elections is necessary, not just a transitional government.
Q- Do you want to say that the PCP is in agreement with what the opposition says in this regard?
A- We support the part concerning the interim situation prior to the elections. That situation can amend the laws and create a climate conducive to the elections, not just an interim government. Yes , we want a complete interim situation, including the constitutional institutions.
Q- What did you mean when you said that the previous PCP relationship with the opposition parties was an illusion?
A- There was a misrepresentation in that statement..Our relationship with them was not an illusion. Our relationship was built upon contracts and charters. It is true that some problems has occurred between us at a certain stage..but the situation is improving. The PCP is still part of the alliance ..we did not quit.
Q- How do you rate the PCP relationship with the armed movements?
A- Our relationship with the armed movements is very good. The PCP would continue contacts with those movements.
Q-What do you mean by ''contacts''?
A- We have contacts with them whether by telephone or other available technological devices. We talk to all of them and will continue to do so about the project for national dialogue.
Q- Do you consider the resolution of the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan part of the national dialogue issues?
A- That conflict is part of the problem of the pre- cession Sudanese state. That state had problems in liberties, in the system of government, in citizenship and in rights. Those were the problems that caused the cession. Now, if the national dialogue succeeds in the creation of a wise, just and democratic state in which all citizens are equal, I feel that even the South could be ready for unity once again..That is because the constitutional problems that faced the nation since independence were the main cause of the South cession. But now there is a chance for national dialogue in which all issues concerning governance can be solved.
Q- How do you diagnose the problem in Darfur, South Kurdufan and the Blue Nile?
A- That is a problem of governance, specifically the problem of decentralization ..we could not create a decentralized system of government that expresses the expectations of the Sudanese people in equality, justice, power and wealth sharing .We have a problem in the balanced and equitable development. We in the national dialogue seek the creation of a fair and inclusive system of government .It is high time for regions to rule the country. we want to create a situation where the ruler of Sudan can come from Darfur or the Nuba Mountains. We need justice in the balances of power. We should create a system whereby all the regions can contribute their thoughts.
Q- What are the real and basic problems which, if solved, can realize the stability of Sudan?
A- The constitutional problems..Since the dawn of independence, the country did not have a constitution that really represents the aspirations of the people. What we had were constitutions of the elite, written by groups of a few people. That is why all this experiment had failed .The people have to look for constitutional justice..Now we have a historical chance after the cession of South, to reassess all the political experiments with a view to creating a realistic constitutional structure.
Q- You in the PCP were part of ruling National Congress Party..why didn't you seek to write such a constitution?
A- We were part of the party and we had continued o call for such ideas..Those ideas could look to be new..but they are old..Since the days of the Islamic Charter Front, we had been preaching such ideas…We did so in the round-table conference of 1966..we did so in the days of the Moslem Brotherhood and the National Islamic Front…we had kept to call for such ideas but our parties were centralized in Khartoum and did not have elite in the regions who could press for such reforms. ..Again we say: There is need to involve the regions in decision-taking..the regions must also be allowed to govern themselves..Sudan is endowed with a vast potential..the only problem is that of governance , which, if solved could create a country that could overtake many other countries.
End
YH/As
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