Sudan’s Umma party chief insists on dialogue with ruling NCP
January 1, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese former Prime Minister and the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) al-Sadiq al-Mahdi downplayed calls for toppling the regime and insisted on continuing dialogue with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).
The NUP chief was interrupted by disapproving supporters chanting “Revolution, Revolution O’ Imam” and “the people want to bring down regime” as he spoke about pursuing dialogue with the NCP to reach an agreement by which the one-party state changes to the “nation’s state”.
Al-Mahdi called on those who disagree with him to look for a different route away from the NUP “so that no one falls on his back to say the regime will collapse in 24 hours”.
Nonetheless the former PM said that there are several factors pushing towards a popular uprising such as the protests staged by the Al-Manasir tribal community of northern Sudan over dam compensations, university closures and the worsening economic situation.
This al-Mahdi said would lead to confrontations similar to the ones in Syria and Yemen pointing out that the regime is ready for such a scenario.
He also dismissed the incorporation of the opposition Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) into the NCP-dominated cabinet saying that the ruling party will not allow anyone to take part in the decision making process.
The NUP has rejected NCP offer to be part of the new government despite months of talks between the two parties.
But al-Mahdi’s son Abdel-Rahman was tapped by president Omer Hassan al-Bashir to be his assistant drawing anger among the NUP base amid growing suspicion of a secret deal between the NUP leader and the ruling party.
The ex-PM vehemently denied that his son’s appointment was with his consent though he said that Abdel-Rahman is qualified for the post.
Many in the NUP’s base are frustrated with al-Mahdi’s soft approach to the NCP and insist that the party leader makes it clear that he wants a regime change.
Last week Al-Mahdi described the National Consensus Forces (NCF) as “gelatinous” and said that the name of coalition does not reflect its reality.
He added that the alliance lacks effective structure and that its decisions are coming from the top and are detached from reality.
The NCF is an umbrella body whose most notable members are the NUP and the Popular Congress Party (PCP) of veteran Islamist Hassan Al-Turabi.
Opposition sources speaking to Sudan Tribune following these remarks accused al-Mahdi of seeking to oust the alliance leader Farouk Abu Essa and take over from him. They pointed to a promise al-Mahdi made to Sudanese president to lead a “responsible opposition”.
(ST)
