Sudan says assassination of NCP nominee not politically motivated

February 6, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government today denied that the killing of a National Congress Party (NCP) nominee in the parliamentary elections next April was politically motivated.

On Friday Colonel Mohamed Salhain who is running in the legislative assembly for new Halfa constituency was found dead inside his car outside his home in the Sudanese capital after suffering knife stab wounds.

However, the NCP spokesperson Fathi Sheila gave a different version of what happened saying Salhain was killed at his doorstep contrary to police and local media reports and suggesting it was an act of armed robbery.

“Men stabbed him on his doorstep and fled, taking with them his mobile phone. He was wounded and was rushed to hospital but he died of his injuries” Sheila said.

“I don’t think it is a political act,” he added.

Salhain was buried with the presence of defense and interior ministers as well as the speaker of the parliament.

Tension is growing ahead of the first general elections in 24 years expected to be a complex process given the country’s terrain.

The dominant NCP party is witnessing dissent from its members in parts of the country particularly in the East causing the party’s deputy chief Nafie Ali Nafi to warn them that they will “suffer” if they stick to their positions.

(ST)