Sudan dismisses claims on unconstitutional government status

July 13, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government refuted claims by opposition parties that after July 9th that it loses legitimacy in accordance with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

The Sudanese justice minister Abdel-Baset Sabdarat held a press conference yesterday saying that the opposition has taken article 216 of the constitution “out of context”.

July 9th mark the deadline set by the CPA for conducting the presidential and parliamentary elections on national and state levels.

However Sudan electoral board decided to delay elections twice since its establishment a year ago citing the need for further preparations and resolving crucial outstanding issues. The elections are now scheduled for April 2010.

Sabdarat said that the duration of the five year presidential term expires in July 2010 if no elections are held while the legislative assembly is dissolved a month later.

The Justice Minister stressed that Article 216 does not specify any “remedies” if the elections are not held by the deadline.

He said that the government does not intend to resort to the Supreme Court to rule on the dispute but at the same time, “only the high court can make the determination”.

But opposition parties say that they do not trust the Supreme Court and therefore will not stand before it to challenge the constitutionality of the government.

They also blame the government for the delay in elections and assert that no fair elections can be held without the creation of a transitional cabinet.

However, Sabdarat told reporters that the electoral commission and not the government that has the power to decide on election date.

The ex-Southern rebel group Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) said it does not see any reason for the formation of an interim government.

(ST)