Mirghani’s party to participate in Sudan general elections
October 29, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani, has indicated his party will participate in Sudan’s upcoming elections, also calling for the national dialogue process to be accelerated.
“The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) plans to participate in any free and fair election based on two principles: the practice of democracy and the right of citizens to participate,” he said in an interview with the London based Asharq Alawsat on Wednesday .
“Accordingly, we intend to contest the general election (of 2015) in the framework of national consensus and transparency,” he added.
The opposition parties refuse to participate in the next year election demanding to postpone it and to form a transitional government to implement the resolutions that a national dialogue process can reach.
In August, the DUP chief, who has resided in the British capital for the past year, met with a delegation of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), stressing the need to promote peace and reconciliation in Sudan.
Al-Mirghani also expressed his support for the national dialogue process, pointing to the need to include all political forces and adding that the participation of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) is important.
“The participation of Umma Party and Sadiq al-Mahdi in the national dialogue is crucial, and President Omar al-Bashir as president of the country and sponsor of the Sudanese dialogue is responsible for ensuring the success of the comprehensive convergence, which he confirmed in his speeches and meetings with political forces,” he said.
Al-Mahdi is currently in the London where he met with British officials to explain the Paris Declaration he signed with rebel groups in August, as well as mobilise international support for genuine dialogue in Sudan.
He is also expected to meet with al-Mirghani to discuss ways to spearhead national dialogue and democratic transition in the country.
(ST)