Editorial:National Dialogue Framework Agreement In the news the national dialogue mechanism representing the government and opposition parties discussed the positions of the two sides on a framework work agreement and agreed to finalise it today. Presidential Assistant and deputy chairman of the NCP, Prof. Ibrahim Ghandour, after the meeting told reporters that the participants agreed to combine the two positions papers and to meet again on Tuesday to discuss the remaining issues. The national dialogue mechanism had made great strides in the way of dialogue as it discussed the principles and objectives of the dialogue, ways to create a conducive environment, issues to be debated in the process, the participants, time and duration of the dialogue, its venue and everything related to the structures of dialogue, including observers and facilitators and others. It is apparent that there is a broad consensus among the participants, and such spirit may facilitate the conclusion of a draft framework agreement on Tuesday before a meeting chaired by President Omer Al Bashir the mechanism should hold on Thursday. However, the national dialogue process initiated by the NCP found all the welcome from all parties and the international community as well but it seems to be slow considering that the first call for the national dialogue was in January. But now the initiative is on the right track and the targeted dialogue is an important step to overcome all obstacles on the way. It is necessary to express good intention, but it is important to show seriousness in going ahead with the initiative. The step of the NCP regarding the amendments of the election law, though it is for the benefit of the opposition parties in availing more representation in the parliament, found objection from the other parties just because it is a unilateral step taken by the NCP alone. It would be better to review the amendments in the roundtable of the national dialogue and it is definite that there will be just some minor amendments to what was forwarded to the National Assembly. The stances of the opposition parties are almost similar, but the issue is the absence of confidence is the main obstacle hindering the national process. The dispute over the elections law could be settled through political understanding including all the political forces to agree on a formula that meets the aspirations of all parties.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:05:47 +0000