Darfur rebel leader urges Sudanese forces to rebuff NCP government

April 18, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Darfur rebel leader has rejected today the outcome of the “fraudulent” elections in Sudan urging opposition forces and the southern Sudan ruling party to not legitimatize the National Congress Party (NCP) by participating in the next government.

Abdel Wahid Al-Nur the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) group did not join the peace process brokered by the Joint Chief Mediator in Doha asking to disarm the government militias and to provide security for civilians in the restive region before to negotiate with Khartoum.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Paris, the exiled rebel leader said his group does not recognize the results of the general election since the beginning because no election can be held in a region of war.

The Darfur IDPs association today dismissed reports about elections in the camps adding that the government had organized “a farce” in some IDPs camps to lure the international community. “We had massively refused to be registered; so how we can participate in the elections?” he wondered.

Al-Nur further urged the opposition parties and the SPLM to not participate in the post elections government as it is proposed by the National Congress Party. Instead the rebel leader said they should work with the SLM and form a large coalition that can seek “Sudanese solution” for a national government.

“I urge them to stick on the principles they share with us to achieve peace and democracy in Sudan,” he said adding that the “history of Sudanese people is rich with political experiences that can inspire us to achieve a Sudanese solution”.

The Darfur IDPs told Sudan Tribune that their exclusion from the current elections means that the National Congress Party is dividing the country to separate entities. “The elected president is not chosen by Darfur people, he does not represent them and we are against him,” they added.

They urged Abdel Wahid Al-Nur to seek a new political dynamic aiming to bring political change in the country. They further said they intend to hold a general protest on Tuesday, the day where the elections results are expected to be announced, to show their opposition to Bashir’s re-election.

Al-Nur said he is willing to work with the democratic forces in the country in order to form a coalition government that can bring a “genuine peace” in Darfur. He also said they should not accept foreign pressures and promises.

“We are already in contact with many political forces and proposed them to work for that end,” he said.

He said this government can organize a new census, and hold free and fair election in a democratic environment.

“Also this government should implement the CPA on all the Sudanese regions with the sole exception that the self-determination right remains only valid for Southern Sudan,” he said.

The rebel leader seemingly was referring to the establishment of semi–autonomous administrations in the different Sudanese regions as it is the case now for southern Sudan. In May 2006, he refused to sign a peace agreement with Khartoum asking to establish one regional administration in Darfur province.

He also said this national government should deliver the ICC wanted persons to the international justice besides the creation of local courts for all those who are responsible of crimes and atrocities committed in southern Sudan, Nouba Mountains and Darfur as well as other parts of the country.

(ST)