Sudan’s NCP denies agreeing to extending parliamentary session
December 19, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese ruling National Congress Party (NCP) denied reports that it has agreed to delay the adjournment of the national assembly in order to give more time for passing laws that are still pending.
The Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) Secretary General Pagan Amum said in press statements that this step is needed in order to continue discussions on laws needed to ensure implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Amum said that the future of Sudan and democratic transformation are contingent upon passing these laws particularly the security bill which is a subject of intense debate between both parties.
However, the speaker of the parliament Mohamed Ibrahim Al-Tahir brushed off the SPLM demand saying that the current legislative session will end as planned on December 23rd with no extensions.
Al-Tahir added that there are only few disputed items in the security law that will be resolved through vote suggesting that despite the NCP majority, every member will be allowed to make his opinion without having to adhere to the party view on this.
The SPLM and other opposition parties insist that the role of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) should be limited to gathering and analyzing intelligence data without executive powers.
However, the NCP insists that the country requires a robust security organ to confront the security internal and external challenges citing long borders with nice countries.
The powerful NISS has been blamed for press censorship, crackdown on political activities and torture of opposition figures.
Yaser Arman, the leader of SPLM block at the Sudanese parliament and SPLM deputy Secretary General for northern Sudan, told Sudan Tribune Thursday they reiterated their opposition to the national security bill during the meeting because they “are opposed the powers to arrest, detention, search and seizure, and immunities for national security personnel,” he said.
“This is our initial and last position and we will not endorse this bill on Sunday,” he added.
Arman also said the NCP is determined to pass this bill with the mechanical majority stressing this position violates the spirit and the text of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the interim constitution.
(ST)