Political affairs council bars registration of UDF, says party figure
By Isaac Vuni
April 20, 2009 (JUBA) — The leader of United Democratic Front (UDF), Hon. Peter Sule, alleged that the national Political Parties Affairs Council denied registration to UDF over its support for independence of South Sudan.
Two officers of the Council who had attended the UDF national convention on February 27 approved UDF for meeting the requirement of 500 members from at least three states and having a party logo, among others requirements, said Sule.
However, after fifteen days, the registrar requested that certain wording be removed from the party statute, otherwise UDF would not be registered, he said.
The Political Parties Affairs Council accepted the registration of the United Democratic Front (UDF) on March 26, provided that it replaces the words “separation of South Sudan” in the party statute with “right of self-determination for southern Sudan,” according to the published text of the council’s decision
Formed in November 2008, the Council is comprised of nine members; six are from the National Congress Party and three from Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. Its mandate stems from the national Political Parties Act of 2007, and all of its members are nominated by President Omer Al-Bashir, after consultation within the Presidency.
In order to be registered, a party must submit documents showing the goals of the party, its organizational structure, and the manner in which leaders will be elected.
”There are no laws in Sudan’s interim constitution that prohibit registration of a political party seeking secession of the south,” noted Sule, emphasizing that UDF’s constitution calls for a sovereign, independent south Sudan.
He went on to recall that the 1947 Juba conference was intended to tell southerners be guided by northerners but Chief Lado Lolik and his team from the south protested, arguing that culturally, linguistically and religiously there are great disparities preventing unity with northern Arabs.
A career lawyer, Hon. Peter Sule made his remarks while addressing a public political rally today under the theme “The Council for Political Parties Affairs is an Obstacle to Independence of the South,” which was heavily attended at Zahara playground in Juba.
Hon. Sule appealed to all political parties with similar objective of separation of the South from the North to forge together in unity rather than merely capitalizing on political differences for personal gains.
Dr. Toby Madut Parek, leader of Sudan African National Union (SANU) that held its second National Convention from April 16 to 17 – its first in 47 years — was also denied registration on condition that it change its change name, otherwise members risk losing registration as a party.
There are also doubts about whether the Covenant Democratic Party (CDP), led by Benjamin Ochan, is registered
(ST)