SPLM membership in North Sudan expanding ahead of next year election – official

By Manyang Mayom

July 25, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is expanding its membership rapidly in northern Sudan in order to prepare for the next year general election in the country.

The SPLM has SPLM since last year held several campaign strategies meetings or workshops to guide the Party in conducting effective campaigns to win the national elections in the Sudan’s 25 states including the heavily populated national capital, Khartoum.

Sudan is expected to hold presidential, legislative elections in April 2010 also the governors and the states parliaments should be elected in the same time. The first free and fair election in the country since more than two decades would end the interim period as well as the NCP-SPLM coalition government established in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005.

Addressing reporters during a press conference held in Khartoum at SPLM premises on Saturday, the Northern sector spokesperson, and a secretary of Information, Culture and communication, Dr. Keji Jermalili Roman, said that that SPLM is expanding its membership rapidly in all 13 states of Northern Sudan sector, outside the national capital Khartoum.

She further announced that 450,000 women, youth and students have been registered in Northern Sector as part of its “comprehensive political mobilization in Northern Sudan.”.

She also added that the organization campaign for woman, youth and students sectors in 13 Northern states is the first of its kind in North sector and that represents significant progress in political action.

The spokesperson declared that registration had reached 1,450,000 members which are mostly youth, woman and students sectors in North Sudan, emphasizing that these sectors are capable of facing up to issues of democratic transformation and human rights.

The official stressed that the creation of SPLM women league is the beginning of a strong women movement in Sudan. She further said the women, youth and students organizations would play an important role as they come from the most active groups in the Sudanese society.

Roman said the SPLM women league aims to liberate women and young girls from discrimination and unjust legislations enacted by the government of Sudan that do not favor women in Sudanese society. She added that the 25% quota for woman in elections emphasizes woman freedom.

The launching of syndicate organizations activities in Northern sector was meant to prepare women and the youth to take part in the SPLM elections campaign in Northern Sector, whereas the SPLM deputy Chairman and Chairman of elections mobilization committee, James Wani Igga will preside over the launching ceremony in Khartoum, said Jermalili.

She also revealed that the SPLM Northern Sector will soon organize another professional groups that will comprise medical doctors, engineers, lawyers and journalists who are supporters of the SPLM in order to engage them in elections’ campaign.

Roman affirmed that the setting up of SPLM woman association, SPLM youth association and SPLM students association/union will merge into conventions in the different categories that will be held very soon; “these categories are key in defending rights.”

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement ended its 21-year war against the previous central government in a January 9, 2005 landmark Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that led to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GoNU) in which it is the co-ruling party with the National Congress Party – its peace partner.

(ST)