Sudan’s Bashir blames SPLM for not attending economic meeting

June 13, 2007 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese president has criticized the former rebel SPLM for not participating in a forum to study development plans in the country, adding they should be more concerned by public issues.

The President, Omer Hassan al-Bashir, has leveled a blunt criticism against the leaders of the former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the government for not taking part in the discussions of the council of strategic planning concerning the five-year plan.

While addressing the final session of the council on Tuesday, the president said that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the constitution should not keep the SPLM away from being involved in the public concern.

The president further advised the SPLM leaders, asking them to try and benefit from these kinds of meetings to boost their experiences.

He added “we were just military officers when we came to the power, but then we have learnt some things from being involved in the council of ministers and other different committees.”

He further said “we do understand that our brothers in southern Sudan are leading a devastated country and that the amount of efforts required to be made in southern Sudan was double to those required to be made in northern Sudan.”

(ST)