Sudanese party admits blame for 1989 coup

KHARTOUM, May 28, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The Islamist Popular National Congress (PNC) has expressed readiness to legally account for its activities since the 30 June 1989 coup until it separated from the ruling National Congress on 22 December 1999.

The PNC called for the adoption of the principle of accountability for activities carried out since independence, the Khartoum based Al-ray Al-Amm reported.

Following joint dialogue session held yesterday between the PNC and Communist Party, with Mohamed Ibrahim Nuqud and Suleiman Hamid, both from the Communist Party, and Abdallah Hassan Ahmad, Hassan Sati, Tariq Mahjub and Adam al-Tahir Nawqalfrom the PNC members in attendance, the two parties issued a joint press statement at the end of the dialogue meeting in which the Communist Party set three conditions for resuming dialogue with the PNC which had started in Asmara, capital of Eritrea, during which the PNC criticized the 30 June 1989 coup and expressed its readiness to legally account for its activities and disclose mistakes and crimes committed during the “National Salvation Revolution” era.

For its part, the PNC admitted its responsibility for the 30 June 1989 coup, saying its was ready to be held accountable. It stressed every person should judged according to the law from date of the coup until 22 December 1999 when the PNC separated from the ruling party.

The PNC called for the adoption of the Principle of accountability since independence and rejection of military coups and dismissal from political activities. It called for the need to unite all political forces in “facing apparent challenges facing the country following international resolutions.”

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring service.