Sudan opposition alliance to boost peace
KHARTOUM, Sudan, June 09, 2004 (UPI) — Sudan’s opposition parties Wednesday formed an alliance they said is aimed at backing a peace agreement signed between the government and separatist rebels.
The alliance — dubbed the National Forces’ Grouping for Boosting Peace, Unity and Democracy — was made up of key opposition parties, including the National Umma party of Sadek al-Mehdi, the Democratic Union Party led by Mohammed Othman al-Mirghani, the Popular Congress Party of Hassan al-Turabi, the Communist and Baath parties, in addition to civic associations.
A press release faxed to UPI welcomed “any measures aimed at ending the war in southern Sudan” and called for expanding the bilateral peace agreement signed between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People Liberation Army led by John Garang.
It also called for including all Sudanese political forces in the peace process by holding a broad-based national congress.
The alliance urged the release of all political prisoners and lifting of laws restricting public freedoms.