North Sudan: rifts within NCP surfaced over dialogue with opposition
April 23, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – Signs of discord have begun to emerge within the leadership of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in north Sudan as two senior party officials openly contradicted each other over the NCP’s dialogue with opposition parties.
The NCP has been engaged in dialogue with two mainstream opposition parties, the National Umma Party (NUP) of Al-Sadiq al-Mahdi and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) led by Mohamed Osman Al-Mirghani, as tension continues to dominate the domestic political arena amid calls by other opposition factions for political mobilization to topple the regime
A divergence of opinions has emerged this week when Nafi Ali Nafi, the NCP’s Vice-President, and Salah Gosh, the presidential adviser for security affairs, openly criticized and contradicted each other on whether the dialogue with opposition parties was sanctioned by the party’s leadership.
In an interview broadcast by Sudan radio on Friday, Nafi said that the dialogue conducted by Gosh with certain opposition parties “finds no acceptance” within the party because it was not approved by the NCP’s leadership.
Nafi, who is known for being a hard-liner who often makes derogatory remarks against opposition parties, asserted that his party would not negotiate over a transitional or national government to serve as a tool to weaken his party or turn it into a minority group. “If they (opposition parties) want this (a national government) they should wait until next elections,” Nafi said.
But Salah Gosh on Saturday held a press conference in which he openly faulted Nafi’s statement, saying “it is detrimental to the dialogue and will make opposition parties run away from it.”
Gosh stressed that the dialogue was authorized and sponsored by the party’s chairman, president Al-Bashir, and second Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha.
Analysts have long pointed to divisions between the NCP’s wing of hardliners and that of those who favor a conciliatory approach towards the opposition, citing it as a reason for the slow progress the dialogue has made so far.
Meanwhile, Nafi said in the same radio interview that president Al-Bashir is scheduled to meet the NUP’s leader Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi to discuss the pending points in the dialogue between the two parties. Nafi revealed that the disagreements between the two parties lie in the issue of dealing with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which indicted Al-Bashir in connection to Darfur conflict, and the issue of reducing Sudan’s current states to six regions.
Political tension in north Sudan has been exacerbated by worsening economic conditions amid rising inflation and shortage of hard currency due to the secession of South Sudan region in a referendum in January.
Oppositionists and anti-government activists blame Al-Bashir’s government for a long list of failures, including the loss of South Sudan, rising cost of living, the conflict in Darfur and restrictions on public liberties.
(ST)
Marco A. Wek
North Sudan: rifts within NCP surfaced over dialogue with opposition
Topple the NCP and hand them overt to ICC for their crimes committed in Darfur and their support to the militias in the South.
tamar
North Sudan: rifts within NCP surfaced over dialogue with opposition
It is not first time to see contradiction and division between idiot men in NCP,this support my statement which I have made it in 2006 which NCP is tribal organisation and militias men institution,Nafi is seeking for Jaaleen’s political interest and Gosh is seeking for Shawaiga’s political interest,about National Umma Party and Democratic Unionist party are all Jalabas’tribal political parties and no much difference between all of them,it is just a matter of dividing roles, if you have made contradiction or have a dialogue with tribal and Islamic parties,that is not our core issue, we as sudanese people our major matter is all Jalabas’ and Islamic political parties must be eradicated particularly NCP.
Paul Ongee
North Sudan: rifts within NCP surfaced over dialogue with opposition
tamar,
This exactly what is happening here in Khartoum. The assignment of key roles to be played at the national level by the Jaaleen and Shawaiga is a problem. The leader of the National Umma Party is eyeing for a position of Prime Minister. Mohamed Osman Al-Marghani hasn’t disclosed his intention yet. They need to go for real debate about constitutional reform in order to be able to move the fragile North forward not just competitive interpretation of Qoran to deceive followers.
The SPLM-Northern Sector has never ruled the country before but has, however, positioned itself well to meet the aspiration of the people of all Northern Sudan. Hopefully, it will take the presidency because its objectives resonate with the majority of people who need “real reform” (not cosmetic one) in the Islamic-led government in the North especially after July 9, 2011 and beyond. Constitutional amendments are essential to give equal freedom, opportunity, development and justice for all.
Paul Ongee
Khartoum Watch
mohammed ali
North Sudan: rifts within NCP surfaced over dialogue with opposition
Paul,
What aspiration you are talking abou? Is looting the money of poor marginalized southerners is the “aspiration” of SPLA northern section?
a After the election the second man in postion after Arman was arrested in Khartoum airport smuggling $ 200,000 which is equivalent to 600 million sudanese which is enough to feed 100 families from the poor starving marginalized southerners for complete year!
$ 200,000 WAS THE AMOUNT WHICH WAS CONVERTED INTO DOLLARS! HOW MUCH WILL BE THE TOTAL MONEY LOOTED BY WALLED HAMID IN SUDANESE POUNDS? And how much was looted by Arman? Pagan Amoum? Edward lino? and the other staff of Arman campagin?
Arman is dining with Pagan regularly at Burj Alfatih and you know how much it is expensive. To make it easy , it is just enough to feed 2 families in the south for one month.Yet you are talking about SPLA! Pagan’s mansion in Austrelia is something which you will never ever dreem off; unless, off course you are getting your fair share! Who knows?
The “ungrateful” southerners are now scping in southands from the SPLA paradise, coming to live as second class citizents in the Jalabba hell!
Tell me your real name because you will probably need an asylum visa to stay in Khartoum…very soon, I can help you!
Angelo Ajiech Manyuat
North Sudan: rifts within NCP surfaced over dialogue with opposition
Hahahaha my smartest SPLM throw some bones to the hungry NCP dogs. Anyhow, It’s just a matter of time & their criminal party will be dislodged soon. Mohamed, SPLM will rule the north while they’re in the South. In fact, we’re not done with you guys until we totally drive you out of Sudan period.