Darfur’s Minnawi launches an all-out attack against ruling NCP
December 24, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – A former rebel leader who joined the ranks of the national government following the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) directed fierce criticism against the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) accusing it of having “bad intentions” towards the war ravaged region.
“I am not sure on the reasons or motives behind that unless it is racial or other grounds I don’t know” said Minni Arcua Minnawi leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) who is also the senior presidential assistant in a press conference.
“The ball is in the NCP’s court” Minnawi said, adding that he does not regret signing the DPA but rather “sad” on its non-implementation.
Minnawi has frequently accused Khartoum of reneging on the terms of the accord and last year he abandoned his presence in the Sudanese capital for over four months fueling speculations that he defected.
In September 2008, the Sudanese 2nd Vice president Ali Osman Taha managed to talk Minnawi into resuming his functions signing a memorandum promising resolution of outstanding DPA issues.
The SLM leader suggested that the funds provided by the donors are misused by the NCP and stressed that little development projects were inaugurated by the government in Darfur.
“The Darfur reconstruction funds was supposed to contain $700 million and only $80 million were remitted to water networks in Nyala, El-Fasher and El-Geneina in addition to $25 million spent on Darfur commissions” Minnawi said. The Sudanese senior presidential assistant said that there has been “zero” progress in security arrangements and no appointment of Darfuris in top posts and civil service.
He described Darfur as living in an emergency situation and its states governed by security forces and ridiculed the governors of the three states.
“Darfur is in the hands of security and police while the state governors are puppets talking about the state issues through [TV] cameras only” Minnawi said.
Minnawi said that quitting his post is not a solution to the Darfur crisis but is prepared to do so if it would help. He described the situation in the country as “mysterious” because of the NCP policies and non-implementation of peace agreements and called on the ruling party to revise its position on election prerequisites and democratic transformation.
The SLM leader was one of the main figures which supported the opposition demonstrations staged this month that was curbed by the police. His joining of the opposition alliance protests angered NCP officials.
(ST)