SPLM and ANC-Sudan sign pro-merger agreement

By James Gatdet Dak

September 13, 2008 (JUBA) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the African National Congress (ANC-Sudan) signed a pro-merger agreement on Friday in Juba.

ANC-Sudan, under the leadership of the former Vice President of the Republic, George Kongor Arop, broke away three years ago from the National Congress Party (NCP) of President Omer Hassan al-Bashir.

The two parties finally reached a breakthrough after three days of intensive discussions in what they called ‘September Declaration’ signed by the Deputy Chairperson of the SPLM, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and the President of the ANC-Sudan, George Kongor Arop.

According to the agreement, the two parties shall continue with mutual consultations through alliance that shall lead to final merger and formation of one national political party.

It stipulates that the two parties have agreed to commit to coordinate, cooperate and adopt common positions on national issues such as of peace in the Sudan, particularly in the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement, and to support the struggle of the people of Darfur for peace, justice and equality.

The parties, according to the agreement, declared their commitment to the right of self-determination for the people of Southern Sudan, Abyei and to the right of popular consultation for the people of Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile.

They also commit to the democratic transformation in the Sudan, and affirm the SPLM vision of New Sudan of democracy, human rights, rule of law and political stability.

Explaining the spirit of the ‘September Declaration’ to international and national journalists, Government of Southern Sudan’s Vice President and first Deputy Chairperson of the SPLM, Riek Machar, said the agreement would initially serve as an alliance between ANC-Sudan and SPLM, and would later lead to complete merger between the two parties.

He said the alliance agreement did not compromise multi-partism in the country.

“Any [political] party that comes into agreement with the SPLM must adopt our principles including the right to self-determination,” Machar underlined.

He said the two parties had been discussing their pro-merger approach for the last three years.

According to the Declaration, the ANC party shall participate within the quota of SPLM in government.

Machar said ANC-Sudan and SPLM will be allies during the coming elections campaigns.

(ST)