NDA’s Al-Mirghani hails Cairo agreement, supports Darfur talks

CAIRO, June 18, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The Following is an excerpt from speech by Ali al-Mirghani, chairman of the Sudanese opposition National Democratic Alliance, at the signing of the peace accord with the Sudanese government in Cairo on 18 June, broadcast by Egyptian satellite TV on 18 June.

Sudanese National Democratic Alliance ( NDA) chairman Mohammed Osman Mirghani, left, and John Garang, leader of Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army, right, wave to their supporters before signing the Sudanese reconciliation accord in Cairo between the Sudanese government and the National Democratic Alliance, an umbrella opposition grouping, Saturday, June 18, 2005. (AP).

[Passage omitted:Al-Mirghani Quoting Koran; greeting the personalities present, thanking Egypt and its president].

I would like first to greet you all and thank you for your presence at this historic event to witness the signing of the agreement, which was reached with the help of the Almighty, by the National Democratic Alliance and the Sudanese government.

I would like on your behalf to greet the masses of our great Sudan which are the real beneficiary of this agreement. We thank them for their support through our efforts to achieve national accord. We congratulate them on this agreement which ushers in a new phase during which we hope we will work together within its framework. Also [we hope] to work seriously and give the best we can to achieve a comprehensive and just peace in our country and achieve a real democratic change.

[Applause] To lay the foundations of national unity in our land and among its people, guided by the principles we have agreed upon since the Sudanese Peace Agreement signed on 16 November 1988 in Addis Ababa, and achieve a balanced economic and social development for the good of all the Sudanese regions.

Dear brothers, as you know, this agreement was reached as a result of great sacrifices and continuous work, and as a result of efforts by the National Democratic Alliance, through its various phases. The strategic choice was to work for a comprehensive political resolution to the Sudanese issue.

[Passage omitted: recalling past agreements; renews thanks to Presidents Mubarak, Al-Bashir and other personalities]

Dear brothers, the agreement we signed today is a great national achievement. It practically emphasizes our strong determination to achieve peace and stability, national unity and a comprehensive development in various Sudanese regions, in the context of the obvious international circumstances. Danger is lying in wait. We must denounce violence and opt for responsible dialogue which aims at raising the issues positively, dealing with their causes, in order to unite our positions and close our ranks and achieve national accord. Our position has always been based on this.

[Passage omitted: supported agreement between government and southern rebels]

Out of our insistence on completing the process of national accord, we support the efforts currently made in Abuja under the aegis of the African Union. We hope that the issues of our brothers in Darfur and eastern Sudan will be dealt with through serious dialogue to satisfy their aspiration to a life of freedom and respect.

Dear brothers, the implementation of this agreement on the ground requires everyone to shoulder their national responsibility and make honest efforts to achieve the tasks of the next stage. I would like to stress that the National Democratic Alliance will deal with honesty and seriousness with the National Congress and the People’s Movement following the completion of this agreement in order to realize the hopes and aspirations of our people for a better future, in which everyone will enjoy peace, unity, democracy and prosperity.

May God guide us to do what is in the interest of the homeland and the citizen and guide our steps as we embark on the unification of Sudan. [applause]

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.