Released Sudanese opposition leader makes first public address

KHARTOUM, Oct. 14, 2003 (dpa) — In his first public address following release from two years house arrest Islamist leader Hassan Abdalla Turabi on Tuesday urged the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) not to completely depend on Western countries in its political strategy.

Turabi warned the SPLA against thinking the current negotiations can only achieve partnership with the government. He also assured people that he maintains contacts with the SPLA leader John Garang.

However, he was also critical of the ongoing peace talks between the government and the rebels, which he said would only resolve the issue of war between South and North Sudan, thus leaving out other areas.

President Omar Hassan el-Bashir had ordered his release along with that of all political detainees held captive for the last two years in a presidential decree also lifting a ban on the political activities of Turabi’s Popular National Congress (PNC).

The arrest of Turabi followed a power struggle between him and the president in 2001 after el-Bashir dismissed Turabi from the post of parliament speaker.

In August Sudan promised to free all political detainees as part of peace talks with the southern rebels.