SPLM rejects NCP conditions on Juba conference

August 29, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) rejected conditions put by its peace partner to participate in all-party conference in Juba to discuss ways to make unity attractive and the right to self determination for Southern Sudan.

The National Congress Party (NCP) said it would take in this conference organized by the SPLM under two conditions: to be involved in its organization and to include more political parties instead of inviting opposition parties only.

“We do not accept NCP’s conditions,” said SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum in statements published by Ajras Al Huriyya. He further said they cannot invite some 60 registered political parties “So we have called the active political forces and some of the parties participating in the government of national unity”

Speaking about the agenda of the meeting, Pagan reaffirmed that the conference will discuss transition from authoritarianism to democracy and ways to ensure fair and free elections.
The conference aims to develop a national vision on how to make the unity an attractive option in 2011 referendum, he added.

He further stressed that this conference aims to confirm the referendum on self-determination for southern Sudan people adding “This dialogue is important to develop a national vision of how to manage the results of the referendum, whether for unity or separation.”

The NCP Secretary for political relations Mandour Al-Mahdi hinted this week that Juba conference would be a tribune to pass the agenda of the opposition parties.

Before the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the SPLM was part of an opposition coalition including Umma party, Democratic Unionist Party, Communist Party and Eastern Front and Darfur rebel SLM among others.

Since the signing of the CPA, Salva Kiir distanced the SPLM form its former allies but he met them for the first time last July to explain the position of his party on their demand for a large national government before the next year election.

The SPLM supported the NCP rejection of the opposition demand.

(ST)