August 16, 2012 (KHARTOUM) - The opposition Uma National Party (UNP) reiterated its commitment to a deal signed with a Darfur rebel group and strongly rejected threats from the Sudanese vice-president against one of its leading members.

Vice President Al-Haj Adam Youssef denounced an understanding that was signed earlier this month by Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi with the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) in Kampala on 5 August.

Al-haj further accused her of calling to topple the regime through armed action.

The signed agreement contains general principles to be included in the Sudanese constitutions, gives a particular focus to the situation of regions affected by war and armed conflicts. It also deals with the interim period and relations with South Sudan.

In a statement released by UNP preparatory committee for peace and democratic transition conference on Thursday, the opposition party slammed Al-Haj’s remarks describing Mariam as "rebel" saying such accusations are unwarranted and excessive.

Mariam was tasked by its party to meet the rebel groups from Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile to convince them to participate in a national conference for peace and democratic transition in the country.

The opposition party said that threats and intimidations are useless . It further added that it will not budge the Umma Party one iota from the path it has embraced to achieve peace in the country.

"The fear all the fear that continuing in this direction leads to ignite a sedition that the National Congress Party would not be able to remedy its consequences," the statement said in clear defiance to the vice-president.

Al-Haj, who is from the Darfur region, was a close aide to Hassan Al-Turabi and supported him in his dispute against Omer Al-Bashir in 1999. He, however, rejoined the NCP as Turabi was accused of supporting Darfur rebels.

He is appointed vice-president in accordance with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur signed with the rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011.

The leader of the Umma party, Sadiq Al-Mahdi, is hostile to the military action against the regime, saying it would lead to civil war and divide the country. Instead he called for a peaceful transition negotiated with the ruling party.

The rebel groups, in return, say they reject any process that keeps intact the NCP, stressing that this party and its regime should be dismantled.

(ST)

Umma Party Logo