Sudan’s ex-PM criticizes Doha agreement

August 13, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) and the former Prime Minister Al- Sadiq al-Mahdi criticized the agreement signed in Doha last month between the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM).

The deal is hoped to put an end to the eight year conflict in the restive region of Darfur though two other major rebel groups are not parties to the accord.

Al-Mahdi called the Doha agreement “provocative” for the other Darfur rebel groups and described the 3-months ultimatum given by Khartoum for the movements to join as unrealistic and wishful thinking.

He added that the Darfur conflict can only be resolved through a “radical and collective” approach that is part of a national framework.

The former PM revealed that he declined to attend the signing ceremony in Doha due to his reservations on the agreement.

He acknowledged however, that the final document contained positive points such as establishment of truth, justice and reconciliation commission; approval of individual and collective compensation; reinstating civil servants who were laid off; ensuring that state institutions are national ones.

On the other hand he faulted the accord for allocating positions and enforcing the control of the ruling party on the state adding that the Darfur Transitional Authority is a “gelatinous and decorative” body “which contains hollow titles”.

The opposition leader also said that the agreement overlooked the realistic approach to the row with the International Criminal Court (ICC) which has indicted president Omer Hassan al-Bashir and other government figures.

(ST)