SLM leader denies contacts with Turabi on Darfur

September 2, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Chairman of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), Abdelwahid al-Nur denied contacts with the Secretary General of the Islamist opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP), Hassan al-Turabi.

During a visit to Shandi, in the Nile State last week, Al-Turabi said that he had made contacts with Abdelwahid al-Nur. He said that their discussion addressed the SLM’s demands and its views to resolve Darfur crisis.

However, al-Nur dismissed these statements. He told Sudan Tribune that he never has any contact directly or indirectly with the leader of PCP. He further added that he has no common ground with this Islamist leader to hold such discussions.

“I’m struggling for a vision totally different with the political program of Dr al-Turabi. We want a liberal, democratic and unified state in the Sudan, the separation between the religion and the state is crucial for us.” He said. Adding “So, we do not think there is something to tackle with him.”

Al-Nur added that besides this ideological aspect, the generational difference makes it difficult to agree with Dr Turabi over a lot of subjects.

In his statements, Turabi reaffirmed assurance of the possibility of resolving Darfur problem immediately by listening to the demands being made by the people from the region, pointing out that Darfur was subjected to oppression and must be compensated.

(ST)