Scores detained during second attempt for protest in Sudan
December 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – At least fifty people were arrested by Sudanese police today following an attempt to stage a rally in front of the national assembly to demand pro-democracy reform to pave the way for the 2010 elections.
This is the second demonstration attempt by Sudanese opposition from a week ago where the events were almost identical. The government deployed hundreds of riot police to the opposition headquarters and bridges.
Riot police with batons and shields fired tear gas and arrested up to 40 demonstrators minutes after they started a march, and closed off streets around the parliament buildings, witnesses and officials told Reuters.
Mubarak al-Fadil, leader of the opposition Umma Reform and Renewal Party (URRP) told Sudan Tribune that he and others were surrounded by officers from National Intelligence Security Services (NISS) at the headquarters of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by senior presidential assistant Minni Minnawi.
He said that they the security agents hit the hood of his car but avoided arresting him and instead took into custody dozens of opposition supporters who were around him chanting pro-democracy slogans.
The URRP chief said that despite concessions by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) over the weekend on referendum law and other items “is more tactical in nature”.
“There are so many thorny details that were not agreed but the NCP is more concerned about buying time and seeking to shift the SPLM away from other opposition parties and go back to its old ways” he said.
Yesterday the Sudanese cabinet approved in its extraordinary meeting the draft bill of the Act on Referendum in South Sudan, the Act on Referendum in Abyei and the Act of People’s Consultation in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile.
Under the referendum deal struck, a 60% turnout of registered voters and a 51% yes vote will declare the independence of South Sudan valid. Initially the NCP wanted between 75%-90% yes vote and a two thirds turnout arguing that the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) says that the secession choice should be made difficult.
The laws will now head to the parliament for a vote. The SPLM MP’s returned to the national assembly after almost two months of boycott.
Following the agreement between the two partners in the government NCP officials said that the SPLM agreed to suspend the protests warning that any move to the contrary will nullify the accords signed.
However, the SPLM deputy secretary general Yasir Arman denied the reports saying they are committed to the opposition alliance adding that the NCP “feels isolated”.
The former NISS director and presidential adviser for national security Salah Gosh said that police used force because the government had information on outlaws hiding amongst the protestors with intentions to carry out actions of sabotage.
The NCP deputy chairman Nafi Ali Nafi was quoted by Sudan official news agency as saying that there will be no exceptions in applying the law noting that there are rules governing the conduct of political activities.
He hailed what he described as abstinence of the SPLM from taking part in today’s protest “contributing to the low turnout”.
(ST)
mohammed ali
Scores detained during second attempt for protest in Sudan
Well done Pagan/Arman , this time you listened to the orders of Salva and Machar!Itis good to be good boys!
telfajbago
Scores detained during second attempt for protest in Sudan
The detention of the peaceful protesters by the regime’s dogs proves that,passing democratic bills and provocation of security laws are the furthest things from the Khartoum’s Islamists minds.However;human rights inquisitors should be sent to investigate the use of toxic tear gas against the protesters which is against International norms.I have stated several times that the regime will not sign it’s death warrant by passing these laws,since they lost any credibility and support of the people because of their crimes and being the true enemies of the very people they have a responsibility to protect .So the only option is to paralyze it through demonstrations and then topple it.Although there are some outside powers fearing the toppling of this regime because of their interests.But I quietly a agree with Dr.Justin that,the situation of bad Government is not better than no Government,and it will be the responsibility of any new regime to implement the CPA.For the Sudanese masses are too dear to be kept hostage under the grip of a regime cleansing and committing crimes against them simply because they signed the CPA.
Time1
Scores detained during second attempt for protest in Sudan
NCP has to give all parties their rights be it peacefully or through demonstrations, SPLM still standing with Opposition, there were many SPLM supporters arrested yesterday, the demonstrations will continue untill NCP accept the demands of the people for democracy.
gaidit
Scores detained during second attempt for protest in Sudan
president bashier will suffer consequences of his poor leadership in future although ,he though the final man .he will face court martial.Dem president .PAGAN /ARMAN are they right people who will let him face justice.
Hillary B.M.L,M
Scores detained during second attempt for protest in Sudan
what are those opposition parties want apart from SPLA (Blacks + ) who are from the creation were different entity demanding their INDEPENDENT? They should not fool us any longer because they are the same token Coins, if they succeed mean Arabs succeed, this doesn’t need Chemist to make experimental Test for their DNN.
Dr.NAFI Al ma Nafi is NCP while his Son is in opposition Side, what does this mean, this is exactly what is quoted in the Bible, One does this and another one do that but at the end all doing the work of One Muster.
Hillary the Hilarious. Enjoy.
KingTaharqa
Scores detained during second attempt for protest in Sudan
The Sudanese, and the bastard political culture of intimidation, and harassments of the Middle Ages Islam must stop at any cost, and the Sudanese people will not be taken for granted anymore, people must be free from brutality, and free to express their opinions without fear of any sort
Peaceful demonstration is the democratic way of civilized societies who disagree with their governments, and it is a duty of every citizen to stand up for what’s right, with courage, and with reason, and with no fear. We need more Yasirs, and more Pagans, to stand up so the people may test true freedom, justice, and prosperity
The Wind of change are blowing harder, and harder, and the crying voices, are getting louder, and louder, and the people of Sudan are more mature politically than ever before, it’s the political establishments that are behind, and backward in their out dated polices of middle age Islam, but thanks, and no thanks.