Former Sudan intelligence chief describes SPLM & PCP as ‘junkies’
February 16, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The former National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) director and current presidential national security adviser Salah Abdullah Gosh described the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Popular Congress Party (PCP) led by Hassan Al-Turabi as “junkies” during an election gathering in North Sudan.
Sudan’s general elections are scheduled for next April.
The town of Amre which was impacted by the Merowe dam construction has been the scene of violent clashes in 2006 between protestors and the police killing three and injuring nine policemen.
An undated video on YouTube shows Gosh in verbal clash with what appeared to be SPLM and PCP supporters who were present at the election meeting with the area’s residents.
Al-Sudani independent newspaper reported the incident February 6th saying that two men belonging to the two parties were ejected after holding Gosh responsible as NISS director at the time for the killings that occurred.
“I am someone nominated on behalf of the NCP and the nominee always comes to the people for them to talk about their issues. [They will say] We want you to solve our problems, to support us and we support you in that so that you can understand the problems….this is the purpose of the meeting no more and no less” Gosh said in the video apparently recorded through a mobile phone by seen by Sudan Tribune.
“This is not the place [to discuss] what I did or didn’t do. This is something [to resolve] in the field whether SPLM or PCP or others…We have been working for twenty years with those junkies” the Sudanese official said.
“The junkies are SPLM and the PCP are junkies and I would say that anywhere…This hall is for the program of the NCP” he added.
An unidentified person is heard saying that he came to discuss issues and decrying the language used by Gosh.
Gosh asked the man “Are you PCP?” who responded “Yes” after which he was told to leave the room.
“You are not invited, get out” Gosh told him saying that any PCP members present should leave immediately.
Gosh was a revered figure throughout Sudan and rarely gave out media interviews. His photos were only made public in recent years. However, following his surprise removal from NISS he became more visible in NCP rallies delivering fiery speeches.
He was part of the Islamist movement led by Turabi that took power in 1989 after overthrowing the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi.
(ST)