Western Equatoria holds political parties forum

February 11, 2010 (MARIDI) – Political parties in Western Equatoria
last Thursday gathered in Maridi to attend political parties’ forum as
elections in Sudan are in the corner.

The forum was held in collaboration with UNMIS, UNDP, IOM and National
Democratic Institute (NDI).

The forum was organized under the theme “WES Political Parties for
Peace against Election Violence”.

The town hall/out reach meeting in Maridi County drew politicians from
all the political parties in Western Equatoria.

The Political Parties Forum was held with support from UNMIS as a
platform for dialogue and conflict management and to ensure the best
of political process in Western Equatoria state.

Some eight political parties participated in the political brainstorming.

Sudan’s People Liberation Movement SPLM chaired by Bukulu Edward,
National Congress Party (NCP) represented by Awad Seid Kisanga, SPLM
DC represented by David Nimeri Charles, Sudan African National Party
(SANU represented Hon Felix Sunday Khamis, South Sudan Democratic
Front (SSDF) represented by Hon Mary Roman Yatta, United Democratic
Front (UDF) represented by Hon Joseph Richard, United democratic
Salvation Front Main Stream (UDSF/M) represented by Hon Arnold De-
Mamur and United Sudan African Party (USAP) Hon. Agangwa Jangara
Alexander.

Also in the forum were religious leaders, business groups, NGOs,
Youth, women groups and chiefs.

In his opening remarks, SPLM Deputy Chairperson WES, Bukulu Edward
stressed that, Western Equatoria State is a law abiding State working
with the spirit of communality.

“As apolitical parties [we] are free to put all [our]
cases on the table for the voters to freely see and analyze for
themselves rather than to provoke one another,” Bukulu said, adding
that,”As Political Parties, [we] should embrace togetherness,
tolerance because Sudan is a diversified Country”.

The Forum Attendees acknowledged that, 60% of the upcoming elections
lie in the hands of the Political Parties if the polls are to be
conducted in a free and fair election exercise.

Awad Seid Kisanga Ahmed of NCP extended his overwhelming gratitude to
the organizers of the event, hailing the crucial moment which brought
all the political parties in the state into one hall.

Kisanaga lamented that, “the responsibility of the future of Sudan is
in the hands of the two signatories of the CPA.”

“NCP is glad that almost four quarter of the CPA has been implemented,
with the remaining quarter being the general elections due in next
April.”

He also called upon each political party to come up with its manifesto
and present to NEC such that it confirms with the electoral laws to
avoid provocative characters of insults, abuse and mistreatment of
other political parties during the campaigns and elections.

“As political parties either big or small, all are aiming at one point
of development and prosperity of the state and the country at large,”
Kisanga stressed.

SSDF Hon Mary Roman Yatta disclosed that, “as political parties [we]
should ensure free and fair elections in the Sudan in spite of party
colors.”

Mary said all the Southern Sudan Political parties came up as a result
of the CPA signed under the leadership of the late Hero Dr. John
Garang the Mabior, who paved ways for free voice of other political
Parties to implement and respect the Naivasha accord to the fullest.

Hon Mary pointed that; “the Forum must ensure that, it continues with
the same spirit even after the elections, up to 2011 referendum.”

Hon Mary called upon the International Community for maximum security
provision during the elections with peaceful environment where each
party can be free to exercise their democratic rights.

Elections in Sudan are due in April; the April polls will be Sudan’s
first multiparty electoral process in 24 years period.

(ST)