Sudan's president vows permanent ceasefire if rebels join national dialogue conference

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Saturday vowed to declare a permanent ceasefire with the rebels if the rebel leaders joined the national dialogue conference.

Al-Bashir opened the sessions of the national dialogue conference in Khartoum with the participation of a number of Sudanese political parties and representatives of regional organizations.

"We have issued a decree on ceasefire for two months at all areas of conflicts in Sudan and we promise that the ceasefire will be permanent if the others resort to peace and become partners in the national dialogue," said al-Bashir when addressing the opening session.

He renewed his call for the parties rejecting the dialogue to join it, adding that "our doors will remain open and our hands extended for those who want to join the dialogue."

Al-Bashir further vowed to provide guarantees for the leaders of the armed movements to enable them participate in the conference.

Around 92 political parties and three Darfur armed movements are participating in the conference.

The conference is scheduled to discuss six major issues including peace, identity, rights and freedoms, economy, external relations and rule and management.

Major political parties and armed movements have rejected to participate in the conference, including the Revolutionary Front Alliance, which brings together the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/ northern sector and the major Darfur armed movements.

In January 2014, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared an initiative calling on the opposition parties and the armed groups to join a national dialogue to end the country's crises. Endit