Southern Sudanese leader to run for presidency in next election

April 5, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Former Vice-President of Sudan George Kongor Arop says that he will contest for the presidency in the up-coming elections.

In an interview with Sudan Radio Service (SRS) in Khartoum on Saturday 1 April the former vice-president said southern Sudanese should not remain vice-presidents forever.

Arop said his party supports self determination for the people of southern Sudan, but did not say whether he supports unity or separation of the country.

Meanwhile, Arop urged the Government of National Unity to dissolve the People’s Defence Force, arguing that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement only allows the existence of the Sudan Armed Forces, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), and joint integrated units.

Recently, Kongor confirmed conflicts within the ruling party and disclosed the formation of a new political party vowing to support peace in the Sudan.

Former Vice-President of the Republic and current Chairman of the newly-formed African National Congress (ANC) Lt-Gen George Kongor Arop confirmed conflicts within the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and especially conflict over NCP’s southern forum which led him and a group of southerners to defect from the NCP.

(SRS/ST)