Sudan’s Bashir and former PM disagree over 2009 elections

February 26, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir stressed today that the 2009 elections must be held on time vowing no delay in democratic transformation.

“Political stability is the key to security and economic stability in our country. There is no way to achieve it without them and I am looking forward to fair and free elections in the near future” Al-Bashir said in an address to the Umma Party convention in the Sudanese capital.

“Some [parties] want to impede transformation into democracy and freedom but any such attempts from any institution will find nothing from us but disregard” he added.

The embattled Sudanese president was likely referring to the International Criminal Court (ICC) which will issue a decision next week on charges of war crimes pressed by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo last July.

Ocampo accused Al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign to get rid of the African tribes in Darfur; Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.

Al-Bashir pledged to guarantee political and press freedom in Sudan through the constitution.

But the Umma Party leader Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi responded by saying that “there can be no free elections with laws that restrict freedoms”.

Al-Mahdi also noted that the census results which will determine constituencies have yet to be released and said that political powers were barred from reviewing the process.

Furthermore he said that it is “impossible” to hold elections during the rainy season between May and September. He called on the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) should consult with other parties in setting a new date for elections.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 between the NCP and the SPLM provided for elections to be held no later than July 2009 as part of a democratic transition in the country.

But observers raise doubts about the organization of the 2009 general elections. Last year a UN consultative team of experts advised the semi-autonomous southern Sudan government to postpone the next year general elections to November 2009 till the end of rainy season in order to avoid the logistical complications.

There are also a number of new laws that needs to be modified prior to elections in order to comply with the interim constitution.

These include the National Security Law, Press Law, Land Commission and Human Rights Commission.

The SPLM and NCP remain in disagreement over these laws and it is not clear when the deadlock will be broken.

(ST)