Sudan’s SPLM says ready for 2008 election

Aug 21, 2006 (JUBA) — A senior Sudan People’s Liberation Movement official has reaffirmed his party’s commitment to multi-party democracy in Sudan, saying that SPLM is well prepared for coming election.

SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum says that his party is well prepared for general elections expected to be held in 2008. Speaking at a ceremony to welcome Central Equatoria State governor Clement Wani to the SPLM in Juba last week, Amum said even if the SPLM loses the coming election, it will respect the people’s decision.

“We are committed to democracy. We respect the right of all political parties not only to exist but to also fairly compete with the SPLM and we will come to you as the people and ask fresh mandate from you. We will give you our programme and we will speak about our strength on which we want you to elect SPLM leaders and for this we have already started the reorganization of SPLM.”

The SPLM Secretary General said he was confident that his party would win, saying the SPLM represents the interests of the Sudanese people, the Sudan Radio service reported from Juba.

Meanwhile, Amum warned corrupt individuals in the government that they will be prosecuted. He said the anti-corruption commission in southern Sudan will pursue corrupt government officials to recover stolen money from them.

“The whole world is observing. If there is somebody who is corrupt we are not going to spare them. They will go and we will not go for witch hunting, no. Those who are corrupt will go and the legal process will take place. The government will recover its money if there is any money stolen. And should not just be singing corruption, corruption. Who is corrupt? Is the question so that we don’t kill ourselves with rumors;” he said.

The SPLM Secretary General urged the public in southern Sudan to report suspected cases of corruption to the anti-corruption authorities.

(SRS/ST)