Mirgahni adjourns meeting to endorse DUP participation in Sudan new cabinet
November 20, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Mohamed Osman Al-Mirghani leader of the opposition Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) yesterday had to cancel a meeting of the party leadership to endorse its participation in a new Sudanese government.
Presidential adviser Ibrahim Ahmed Omer said Saturday they had got preliminary approval from the DUP. He added that they are committed to honour it but warned that President Bashir is prepared to announce his government and they can’t wait for more time.
A faction of the party opposed to rapprochement with the ruling National Congress Party organised a demonstration at the premises of the party in Khartoum North forcing al-Mirhgani to defer a meeting scheduled to decide on the DUP participation in the government.
The demonstrators shouted slogans outside the building against leaders supportive to the participation such as Khalilfa Abdel Majid Abdel Rahim and Ahmed Saad Omer while the police surrounded the protesters to discourage any escalation.
Sudan Tribune learnt that Mirhgani was informed about the developments of the situation and he was advised to not attend the meeting.
Saturday’s meeting was supposed to officialise the participation of the DUP in the new government which is supposed to be announced on Wednesday. The Sudanese cabinet meets every Thursday.
The DUP was calling for the formation of a national government including major political parties and a parliament gathering all the political parties to solve Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan crises, and to prepare a new constitution.
The Umma Party of Sadiq al-Mahdi decided to not participate in the new cabinet considering that its participation in a government led by the NCP would not be productive.
(ST)