Sudan’s first vice-president urges political consensus on major issues
February 16, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — First Vice-President and Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) said it was crucial for the two peace partners to reach a political consensus with the rest of political forces in the country on the major political issues.
Speaking at the opening session of SPLM Convention organizing committee meeting on Sunday at the premises of the party in Khartoum, Salva Kiir Mayadrit stressed the importance of reaching an between the SPLM and the National Congress Party (NCP) on a number of issues such as organization of political action and election law with the accord of other parties.
The SPLM Convention organizing committee started its six-day meeting (16 to 21 February) today at the headquarters of the party in Khartoum. Last month, Salva Kiir, designated a 36 member committee headed by James Wani Egga, the speaker of the southern Sudan parliament as chairman, and Abdelaziz El-Hilu as deputy chairman of the committee to prepare for the second conference of the party.
The Convention, which is planned to be held in May 2008, will be the first SPLM conference since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The organizing committee has to discuss decisive political and organisation issues like the SPLM transformation to a political party and ways to disconnect it from the SPLA, CPA implementation and Darfur crisis.
Indicating that no one wants to return to war, Salva Kiir said the SPLM wants to establish a New Sudan blessed with freedom and democracy without excluding anyone. He further asserted that Sudan will not unite as long as there were no equality or democracy and political, cultural and social rights.
He said after the transitional period, all the Sudanese must feel that they are equal and no discrimination between them so as to achieve unity stressing that the SPLM and the NCP are seeking to achieve peace in the country with the support of the other political forces.
Kiir added there will be no peace in Darfur unless there is real peace, and asked (we are preparing for the census in 2008 for next April, where the Darfur from this census?)
He further asserted on the need to build confidence among all to achieve harmony, tolerance and development to reach unity.
SPLM EVERYWHERE
Pagan Amum, the SPLM Secretary General said that the party began its transformation into a political party after signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. He disclosed that 7 million members have joined the party and the SPLM is spread all over the Sudan from the east, to the west and from south to the north.
He told the opening session of the organizing committee meeting that the members of the preparatory committee represent all states of the Sudan.
For his part, James Wani Egga the chairman of the organizing committee reiterated the SPLM commitment to the principle of self-determination with a choice of the people with unity or separation. He also said the SPLM attachment to its principles aiming at the liberation of all the Sudan.
Also spoke at the opening session, Ahmed Haroun (National Congress Party), Sadiq al-Mahdi (National Ummah Party), Taj Alsir Mohamed Saleh (Democratic Unionist Party), Mohammed Ibrahim Nugud (Communist Party) and Ibrahim Sanoussi (Popular Congress Party).
(ST)