Sudan opposition discuss Juba conference preparations with SPLM
July 21, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese opposition parties met today with senior figure at the ex-southern rebel group Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) to discuss preparations for the Juba conference.
An alliance of opposition parties met last May in the Sudanese capital to unite stance against the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) accusing the latter for exercising hegemony over wealth and power as well as refusing to amend repressive laws.
The SPLM at the time invited the parties for a conference in South Sudan capital of Juba but its agenda is unclear.
The SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum said the meeting discussed the timing, agenda and different political issues that will be discussed according to Sudan state agency (SUNA).
Amum said the goal of the meeting is to reach consensus on successfully administering the interim period, implementing the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), ending war in Darfur, democratic transformation and creating a program for economic revival.
The SPLM official said participation is open to all parties including the NCP and that all issues will be discussed in complete transparency.
Last month the Sudanese presidential adviser Abdullah Masar blasted the Juba conference saying its goal is to impede democratic transformation.
Opposition parties challenged the legality of the government after the July 9th date saying that elections were supposed to be held by then in line with CPA provisions.
However, the SPLM supported the NCP rejection of the opposition demand after a meeting held between the Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir.
(ST)
Africano
Sudan opposition discuss Juba conference preparations with SPLM
So SPLM have choosen to become a leader in the opposition. What is going to become with their relation with NCP? What about CPA. This is a clear indication of infiority complex politics.
Moses Kur Akech
Sudan opposition discuss Juba conference preparations with SPLM
Such kind of political engagement can bring confidence across political spectrum. I believe national peace and stability can only occur when these Political Parties find conducive platform or atmosphere where they can freely work jointly in a move to establish a democratic government of ordinary citizens. A move which many pessimists believe won never happen in Sudan after the untimely and tragic death of Dr. Garang.
However, democratic transformation cannot occur when these Parties remained under intense and bureaucratic intimidation posed by the despotic regime.