Khartoum – The National Umma Party, led by Imam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, expressed its total readiness to engage in negotiations to prepare a national democratic constitution. 

Speaking at press conference yesterday, Imam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi underlined the importance of dialogue with the ruling National Congress Party. "Dialogue with the NCP focuses on several pivotal points especially peace, freedoms and constitution" he said. 

The Imam lashed out against the national consensus forces. "We have many differences with these forces which need to be resolved democratically" he said. "The opposition's name is inappropriate, they may call themselves the forces of the new regime" he added. 

 

Al-Mahdi disclosed the strategy of his party during the coming period. "The strategy focuses on strategic commitment to work in accordance with new system that will realize just and comprehensive peace as well as full democratic transformation free of violence and involvement of foreigners" he said. 

Al-Mahdi also revealed contacts made by his party with the South Sudanese opposition in order to achieve peace between Sudan and South Sudan. 

He warned of the continuation of war between the two countries. "The war is costing the countries billions of dollars" he said, and indicated the mutual benefits of peace between the two countries such as border trade that generates billions of dollars for the two countries and peoples. 

Al-Mahdi said his party tends to lodge a complaint to the United Nations regarding camps of the so-called "white army" in north Sudan because the presence of such militias will pose threat to security of the two countries and could be a nucleus for a comprehensive war in the region in future.

By Hana Abdul Hai