Sudan’s speaker warns against intl intervention in elections

July 8, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Speaker of the federal parliament, Ahmed Ibrahim al-Tahir, has said international circles attempt to undermine, manipulate or rig the next general elections.

The speaker of the National Assembly made this statement during a visit to North Darfur, the independent Al-Ayam reported. Tahir called for preparation of the coming elections.

The leading member if the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) also said that the international community could monitor the next elections. He however, added that it is “our obligation not to allow any foreign forces to decide who should govern Sudan.”

The statement contradicts with repeated declaration made by the leadership of the NCP which always expressed readiness to run general elections saying there are well prepared to wine it.

Analysts and observers say the SPLM is well qualified to wine the elections with its partners of the National Democratic Alliance. In the past, the Sudanese Islamists had never wined legislative or presidential free elections in the country.

(ST)