Sudan’s Kiir denounces NCP old mentality urges release of detainees

December 7, 2009 (JUBA) — Sudanese First Vice president and SPLM Chairman denounced today the National Congress Party “old mentality of doing business contrary to the letter and spirit of the CPA” and urged the release of SPLM leaders arrested today morning.

In a statement released this afternoon after an emergency meeting of the SPLM Leadership, Salva Kiir Mardrit from Juba solemnly urged the release of SPLM Secretary General and his deputies Yasir Arman as well as other leaders who attempted to demonstrate for democratic reforms and referendum bills.

The First Vice-President regretted the illegal arrest saying “the NCP leadership has been resisting constitutional obligations by using their mechanical majority in both organs of government to pursue their own political agenda.”

“This implicitly maintains the status quo and old mentality of doing business contrary to the letter and spirit of the CPA,” he added.

However he called for restrain adding that he had talked this morning with President Omer Al-Bashir and agreed on the need to “maintain calm and restraint.” Further Bashir reassured him that all detainees will be released.

(ST)