SPLM candidate vows to work for Sudan’s unity

January 21, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Yasir Arman, candidate of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) for the presidency pledged today to work for Sudan’s unity adding that his nomination is a gift from the south to the country.

Sudan’s First Vice President and SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayadrit introduced Arman as the Movement’s runner for the presidency during the CPA celebration in Yambio in the presence of the Sudanese president and NCP candidate, Omer Al-Bashir, and announced that he will arrive to Khartoum on Thursday to organize his campaign.

Kiir said Arman has been chosen thanks to his major contributions during the SPLM struggle, adding that Arman was one of first northerners to join the Movement in the days since its inception, alongside Malik Aggar, Mansour Khaled, Abdel Aziz Adam El-Hilu and others. He pointed out that the nomination of Arman gives new opportunities and renews hopes about which the Sudanese voters have to decide.

In a press conference held at the SPLM premises after his arrival to Khartoum and an important reception by supporters, Arman vowed to work for voluntary unity between the north and the south. He also said he would present a political program that the south fought for.

Arman further described his candidacy for the presidency as a “gift” from the south to the north and a greeting to the west and center. He further added that his candidacy restores confidence and rehabilitates the North-South relations.

The National Congress Party welcomed Arman’s nomination but the press of the ruling party denounced the SPLM runner and said his nomination is proof that the Southern Sudan ruling party is no longer a national party but is working for the south’s separation.

Speaking at the press conference, SPLM Secretary General Pa’gan Amum told reporters that Arman’s nomination is “the last chance for unity between the north and the south.” He also stressed that the party is supporting him with a program that could make unity an attractive option.

Amum further said that Arman’s candidacy signifies progress and the spread of the SPLM in the north adding that the nomination of Arman was possible not because he is a northerner but because he is one of the strong popular leaders of the movement. He also cited Arman’s faith in the New Sudan as well as his struggle in the ranks of the movement for more than two decades.

The SPLM leader Salva Kiir Mayadrit had resisted calls to run for the presidency preferring to focus on heading the Southern Sudan government. Also, his deputy Riek Machar, another potential candidate said he would only run against President Bashir if he is appointed chairman of the SPLM, a demand to which Salva Kiir found difficult to accede.

(ST)