Turabi urges govt to end crisis in eastern, western Sudan

Dec 4, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The secretary-general of the opposition Popular Congress (PC), Hasan Abdallah al-Turabi, has called on the government to put an end to the problems of Darfur and eastern Sudan.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the PC headquarters, he said all the tragedies and incidents occurring in these areas needed to be urgently addressed. He further pointed out the problem of people’s lands being confiscated in northern Sudan.

Al-Turabi stressed that his party rejected taking part in any military operations to overthrow the government and denied the PC had links with any armed movement.

Al-Turabi further reiterated his criticisms of the government of national unity, describing it as a bi-polar entity. He said that one of the main concerns of some southern brothers was to develop the South, which, according to observers, tilted the balance in favour of separation.

Al-Turabi expressed his desire that the forthcoming elections should be free and said he hoped international pressure would be exerted to ensure this would happen in Sudan as had been the case in many other countries.

Regarding detained PC members, Al-Turabi pointed out that more than 20 members remained under arrest. He said the cases of 21 had been handed over to the security authority, on what he described as false allegations.

He called for measures to be taken regarding the PC members who had been subjected to torture.

(ST)