First Vice-President meets Sudanese opposition leaders

July 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese First Vice-President and the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) held today separate talks with the leaders of the main opposition parties to explain the position of his party on their demand for a large national government.

Sudanese opposition parties had expressed their fears that the dominant party, the National Congress Party (NCP), could commit voter fraud in 2010 elections and requested the formation of a national government to conduct the first free election expected in February next year.

They also said the current government formed after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) had lost its legitimacy and it is unconstitutional since July 9th.

The SPLM supported the NCP rejection of the opposition demand after a meeting held between the Sudanese President and Salva Kiir before Bashir’s departure to Egypt last week.

Speaking to the media following his meeting with the Umma party leader Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Kiir reiterated the SPLM’s commitment to Sudan’s unity. He stressed that there will be no return to war and his party was working with the NCP and the other political parties to make unity an attractive option for southerners.

Al Mahdi said Kiir had explained why he considers the government to be legitimate. He noted that they understood and appreciated SPLM’s position toward the opposition.

Mahdi said they filed to the SPLM documents showing that they are seeking agreement with all political forces on attractive unity and its terms. He also stressed the need for an agreement of all the political forces on it because even if southerners decide to secede there is a need for fraternal coexistence, said the former prime minister.

The opposition parties and the SPLM had agreed before the difference over the legitimacy of the national unity government to hold a meeting in Juba to discuss common grounds during the upcoming general elections.

The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Mohamed Osman Al-Mirghani told reporters after his meeting with Kiir that they dealt with the importance of maintaining the unity of Sudan. He also recalled the Mirghani – Garang pact signed in November 1988, which endorsed the unity of the people and territory of Sudan. He stressed that this agreement was binding on the DUP and the SPLM, calling to strive for its implementation.

Kiir also met late today with Hassan Al-Turabi, the leader of the Popular Congress Party. Turabi said in press statements following the meeting that they discussed the situation in the disputed Abyei area and the verdict on the region, adding that Abyei is a vital channel between the North and the South.

He added that their talks touched on the upcoming elections and the need for more freedoms to allow the different political parties to disseminate their platforms.

Meanwhile, Mubarak Al-Fadil Al-Mahdi , the chairman of the Umma Reform and Renewal Party, said he had agreed with the views of the First Vice-President on the need for a deep dialogue with all political forces including the National Congress Party.

Mubarak, who is the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee of Juba Conference of Sudanese political parties, added that Sudanese political forces are working to push southerners to vote for unity.

Kiir is also expected to meet with the Secretary General of the Sudanese Communist party.

In the absence of President Al-Bashir, who is in Egypt leading Sudan’s delegation to the meeting of the non-aligned movement, Salva Kiir assumes the presidency until Bashir’s return.

(ST)