Opposition figure lauds Sudanese government for tolerance

Feb 3, 2006 (NAIROBI) — An opposition Communist Party member of the National Assembly in Khartoum has lauded the government for opening up and tolerating criticism.

Fatima Ahmad Ibrahim said she respects the government for opening up and giving members of parliament an environment to speak and criticise.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service (SRS) in Nairobi, Kenya early this week, Ms Fatima Ahmad termed the government’s tolerance of criticism as a way forward.

Fatima said “Though they are the ones who have the power, I respect them because they opened up – though not equally – but they have given us the opportunity to speak and to criticise them and this is a way forward.”

Ms Ahmad was among the 26 women mps who came to Nairobi last week for a parliamentary caucus workshop.

As historical figure in Sudanese women movement, and as the first Sudanese elected woman parliamentarian in the 1960s, Fatima says she is pleased to contribute towards empowering young women parliamentarians, who have joined the assembly for the first time.

(SRS/ST)