Sudan ruling party says elections can be conducted without Darfur

February 21, 2008 (JUBA) — Sudan’s ruling party said that general elections in the country can be run without the participation of Darfuri due to the political instability in the region.

According to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM, Sudan is expected to hold presidential, legislative elections in 2009 also the same year the governors and the states parliaments should be elected.

Information Secretariat official in the NCP, Kamal Obeid, Minister of State for Information told journalists on Wednesday that Darfur crisis is not linked to the general elections.

He further said “Sudan in different periods didn’t hold elections ion some parts of the country but this didn’t prevent the election of a responsible parliament. But they admitted to delay it for the end of the third year.

Obeid added that his party (NCP) was keen during the peace talks in Naivasha to conduct the general elections one year after the signing of the CPA.

Leading member in the SPLM, and Deputy Speaker of the federal parliament Atem Garang supported Obeid statements. He further said that election should be run according to the planned schedule even if Darfur crisis in not conducted.

Atem added that the election of civilian government in Khartoum will help to bring peace to Darfur.

However the SPLM Deputy Secretary General, Yasir Arman, said the decision on this issue must be discussed between the different state bodies and with the political parties particularly Darfur people. He also said the SPLM political bureau and the National Council of the SPLM are the only bodies issue a position on this issue.

(ST)