SANU appeals for equitable distribution of resources in Sudan
By Isaac Vuni
April 16, 2009 (JUBA) – One of the pioneer political parties in the country, Sudan African National Union (SANU), began today its Second National Convention which is scheduled for two days at Star Hotel in Juba.
The convention is convened under the theme; “Good Implementation of the CPA and decentralized system of government are Key factors for making unity attractive.” It comes 47 years after the first convention.
From the organizing committee, Hon. Peter Phillip Gadin said 100 delegates were drawn from both southern and northern states of Sudan.
Dr. Toby Madut Parek, SANU chairman, described the second convention as a milestone of a born-again SANU. The party had been and still is committed for unity and equitable distribution of manpower to marginalized Sudanese, he said.
He said they were first to support the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Kenya on January 9, 2005 and paid tribute to countries who assisted in peaceful mediation.
Parek appealed to the CPA signatories to redouble their efforts in solving remaining difference for better reconstruction and development of marginalized areas in Sudan including Darfur. “There is need to invest heavily in agriculture as backbone for development in the Sudan,” he underscored.
SANU’s leader called on states governors to seriously support development of children particularly in areas of education since they had missed better education due to devastating war that the CPA ended after two decades.
He further advised delegates to let their voices heard in their respective constituencies especially of women and youth. Women’s representative Hon. Easther Ikere Eluzai praised the party leadership for including women on affirmative action, having six legislators including two women.
The interim constitution provides legal participation of women at a 25 percent level, but they will also be permitted to contest for seats beyond that quota when elections are held in 2010.
SANU currently holds a minor ministerial position in the Government of National Unity (GoNU) at the status of state minister of environment. The party holds marginal power compared to the ruling parties of Southern Sudan, but nevertheless has had an enduring political legacy.
David Biel Yal, party representative of United Democratic Salvation Front — a group of dissidents that came to terms with the Government of Sudan before the end of the civil war — said their party was founded out of SANU’s philosophy.
SANU’s first convention was held in 1962 under the leadership of Aggrey Jaden. However, due to disagreement the late William Deng Nhial was elected president of the party before being assassinated.
The party was founded by late Fr. Saturnino Lohure Hilangi, assassinated on January 22, 1967 by a Ugandan soldier. William Nhial was assassinated on May 5, 1968 by the Sudan army in Bahr El Ghazal region of southern Sudan, Joseph Oduho Aworn assassinated by SPLM/A in Panyagor while seeking union of divided SPLM/A factions and Aggrey Jaden died naturally in Nairobi.
Political forces are preparing for the elections scheduled for Feburary 2010. The date represents a delay from the timetable laid down in the 2005 peace treaty, but when held the voting would be the first free elections in the country since 1986.
(ST)