KHARTOUM, 16 August — Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has announced plans to reshuffle its government after having reached an agreement with the wing of the Umma party headed by Mubarak El Fadil Al-Mahdi.

Mustafa Osman Ismail, minister of foreign affairs of Sudan, told Arab News the reshuffle is to accommodate the former opposition members who have joined the NCP.

Ismail said the government’s policy is to "open the government to any of the Sudanese politicians or academics who can add to the stability of the Sudanese government." The door is open to anyone who wants to cooperate and work for a united Sudan, he said.

Mubarak El Fadil’s move to NCP signals a break in the Umma party. Ismail said his decision to join came when it was obvious Sadiq Al-Mahdi, head of the Umma party and former Sudanese president, would not budge.

"We tried hard to get the whole Umma party to participate," said Ismail, "but after two years of trying, it became clear that while Sadiq Al-Mahdi did not want to join, others did..."

Ismail said the NCP initially was not eager to split Umma. But the issue was discussed at length within the party, and finally they approved the decision.

Mubarak El Fadil Al-Mahdi is first cousin to Sadiq Al-Mahdi, and was number two in the Umma party. He is now the leader of the New Umma Party.

Ismail said another important figure, Mohamed Sir Al-Khatim, who was a member of Sudan’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and leader of the Khatouria sect, also joined the NCP this week. Sir Al-Khatim said he joined the NCP because he wanted to contribute in their efforts to end the war. "He is very influential in the East of Sudan," said Sudan’s foreign minister. "We asked him to wait until DUP leader Mohamed Osman Mirghani would join, but he said he wanted to join the Congress now."

Ismail added that Osman Abu Ghassam, a minister in former President Jaffer Numeiri’s government, also planned to join the NPC with some colleagues from the south of Sudan.

Ismail said the government reshuffle would include the federal and state government and local authorities. "Every position is under consideration for this reshuffle, including mine," said Ismail wryly.

Asked about Egypt’s position in the Sudanese peace negotiations (currently being held between Sudanese government representatives and delegates from the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army in the Kenyan city of Machakos), Ismail said Sudan’s policy, even before Machakos, was to work hard for an agreement acceptable to both parties. He said the lack of a referendum could jeopardize the unity of Sudan.

"Our government’s strategy is to work, remain flexible and accept the help of neighbors in order to achieve these goals," said Ismail, speaking to a group of academics, former US Ambassador Tim Carney and this correspondent, during a visit organized by the London-based Al-Moustakilla satellite TV.

"When the agreement at Machakos was signed, it was a surprise to many, including Egypt. They did not expect self-determination would be reached so quickly. That’s why, when the agreement was reached, they were initially reluctant," Ismail said.

The minister said Egypt recovered quickly from the shock and "realized there is no way to change what was agreed on in Machakos, which made unity a priority."

"In the end, the objectives for our government and Egypt are the same — we will work hard to keep the country united. The only difference is the road used to achieve these objectives. Our goal is to reach the objectives through a referendum. The Egyptians realize this," Ismail added.