Machar calls on political parties to study South Sudan’s Vision 2040
July 13, 2012 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s leadership has called on all the political parties in the country to acquaint themselves with the Vision 2040 document, prepared to serve as basis for future development plans in the upcoming decades.
The country’s Vice President and deputy chairperson of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Riek Machar Teny, made the remarks on Thursday during his meeting with the chairman of the National United Democratic Front (NUDF) party, Kornelio Kon Nger who was accompanied by his Secretary General and members of the secretariat.
He added that the parties should also acquaint themselves with the government’s document on strategic development plans which is envisioned as the basis from which any ruling party shall draw its development plans..
Machar further added that the political parties should also join the ruling SPLM by being proactive on the national priorities such as the border demarcation with Sudan, fate of Abyei, oil production and security as well as war against corruption, which he said are among the challenges faced by the government.
The NUDF party leader had earlier on requested that the other political parties should be given a chance to participate with the ruling SPLM in the ongoing negotiations with Khartoum on the outstanding issues in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
While reiterating his government’s commitment to multiparty democracy in the country, the SPLM deputy chairperson however encouraged any party with the same vision and principles with the ruling SPLM to join the SPLM, or merge with any other like-minded political party instead of splintering into many smaller opposition parties.
The new nation is in the process of forming a Council of Political Parties which will be responsible for registering afresh all the political parties in South Sudan including the SPLM.
In accordance with the transitional constitution of South Sudan all the political parties are required to re-register under the new law.
The Political Parties Leadership Forum (PPLF); a consultative forum which includes membership of leaders of all the political parties and chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, met on Tuesday and consulted on the pending formation of the Council.
South Sudan has about 20 political parties most of which were registered in Khartoum when the region was still part of Sudan while others were recently born after independence and they are not yet registered or recognized by the government.
(ST)