Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir strongly criticized the international community for depriving his country of foreign funding, and denying it access to the debt relief system over political reasons. He called on Thursday for some of the world’s major countries, which he did not name, to push instead for reconciliation and reconstruction. “The country is deprived of any external funding because of the blockade, and Sudan is the only country that has not entered the debt relief system for political reasons put forth by some major countries,” Bashir said in an interview with state-owned news agency. Bashir called on civil opposition forces and militias to “forget barriers,” reunite with the nation and join in rebuilding the country. He also invited oppositioners to partake in upcoming elections. Bashir addressed each party separately to present its program to the people to choose. President Bashir is no longer eligible to run for the 2020 presidential and legislative elections. Sudan’s current constitution sets a five-year presidential term limit and prevents running for office more than twice. Bashir has exhausted the two chances to run in the 2010 and 2015 elections. However, unofficial campaigns launched by party and political leaders loyal to al-Bashir emphasize the importance of granting him a third presidential term and amend the constitution to make his candidacy possible in upcoming elections. In his speech, Bashir referred to what he labeled “political consensus” as “a model at federal and state levels in the government,” declaring his governments willingness to share responsibility with all parties. He also affirmed that the African country’s economic crisis will be resolved. Opposition parties differed in positions taken on upcoming elections—some parties chose to boycott the vote, while others perceived it as a tool for realizing regime change. Overall, Sudan’s opposition bloc, led by Sadiq al-Mahdi’s National Umma Party, did not present a resolute stance on elections. In a statement after ending May deliberations in Paris, the bloc said that elections were “a genuine democratic, national and humanitarian right to the people, prevented by the totalitarian system.” The statement also called for free conditioned, democratic and fair elections, which is seen as necessary to achieve a full transition into a democratic system. On the other hand, Bashir pledged to adopt state projects in Khartoum (the federal capital) and provide the necessary funding, in coordination with the Central Bank of Sudan and the Federal Finance Ministry, stressing the continued suffering of his country from economic restriction despite the lifting of sanctions. Citing Khartoum’s high pressure-tolerance and hosting 25 percent of the country’s population, Bashir acknowledged the injustice it was dealt in terms of receiving federal support.