Sudan’s NCP decries intimidations, threatens to not recognize referendum outcome
September 23, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) denounced today the lack of freedom to campaign for the referendum on self determination in southern Sudan and threatened to not recognize its result.
Southern Sudanese have to determine the future of their region by casting their vote next January in favor of the establishment of a new state in the semi-autonomous region or to reiterate their adhesion to a united Sudan.
The southern Sudan ruling party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) officials campaigns in favor of the independence while its peace partner and dominant NCP struggles to preserve a united Sudan.
The freedom of campaigning is seen crucial to gain the support of the international community to the results of an acceptable referendum. It also will diminish tensions and lays the road for a peaceful separation if the vote confirms this current expectation.
In a press conference held in Khartoum jointly with the opposition Alliance of South Sudan Political Parties, Ali Tamim Fartak member of NCP leadership council and head of political secretariat at the NCP referendum committee, condemned the intimations and detention of NCP members and restrictions they face in the semi-autonomous region.
He further stressed that these practices breach the 2005 peace deal, the interim constitution and the Referendum Act. He called on the president of southern Sudan government to direct the release of the detainees and ensure the freedom of campaigning for the referendum.
Fartak and the members of the alliance said their members campaigning for unity in southern Sudan are intimidated and arrested by local authorities in Greater Bahar el-Ghazal and Unity states.
Also the SPLM-DC issued today a press statement echoing Fartak’s statements. The opposition party said it has several members in Upper Nile state arrested since May and a member travelled recently to Aweil, capital of North Bahr al Ghazal, had to leave the town for his personal safety after being prevented from campaigning for the referendum.
The NCP leading member warned that they would not allow the SPLM to seize their right to campaign freely or to confiscate the will of southerners. Fartak also stressed they will continue to put pressure to create conducive environment for a fair and transparent referendum.
He added they will inform the international community, regional and international organizations to facilitate a democratic atmosphere for the conduct of the referendum.
He underlined such environment will make the outcome of the referendum acceptable by all the parties. Otherwise this result would not be recognized due to the “direct threat” to the referendum in the south.
The SPLM-DC went further to say “Those who today pretend to be overzealous for a separation vote while ignoring the requirements of a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of an internationally acceptable referendum are the very enemies of the cause of separation”.
“Because they are walking into a trap,” the party emphasized.
“How will South Sudan go for a historic and momentous vote divided?”
The President of Southern Sudan government stated recently that all political forces will be allowed to campaign freely in the south for unity or separation.
Before his trip to the USA, Salva Kiir announced that a meeting on South –South dialogue will be held in Juba next month where all the political force in the region.
(ST)