Sudan’s SPLM may boycott October’s parliamentary session

August 29, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Yasir Arman, chairperson of SPLM parliamentary bloc at the National Assembly has warned that his party would boycott the next month session if the passage of referendum bill in parliament is not seen as one of the top priorities.

The two peace partners, National Congress Party (NCP) and SPLM did not agree on the bill of referendum in their latest meeting and many issues remain unresolved.

The 2005 peace agreement gives the people of Southern Sudan and Abyei the right to self determination but the two partners have to agree on the modalities of this popular consultation.

The NCP says the referendum law should be made in a way that southern Sudanese in the whole Sudan participate and separation would only be possible if it wins 75% Yes vote. The SPLM says only southerners inside the tens southern Sudan states should take part and simple majority of 51% must be required for the independence.

Yasser Arman, head of the SPLM parliamentary group has threatened that his movement would not participate in the next parliamentary session, if referendum bill and laws necessary for free and fair elections do not top the agenda of October parliamentary session.

He also said that his party will adopt a plan of action for October session.

“Based on the recommendations of the SPLM Political Bureau, the Executive Office of the SPLM Parliamentary bloc will hold several meetings before mid-September, to set a strategy for the next parliamentary session.”

Arman said that the SPLM group will contact other parliamentary blocs, to discuss ways to change outstanding laws to make it conform to the Constitution.

(SPLM)