Sudanese opposition decides to seek regime change
January 4, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – A coalition of Sudanese opposition groups has declared its decision to use all “legitimate and peaceful” means to change the regime, but it also left the door open for dialogue with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).
According to the NCF’s chairman, Farouq Abu Isa, the allied parties had decided to activate the pursuit of regime change after studying recent developments in the domestic arena and the government’s tendency to curtail press and political freedoms.
Addressing a press conference dedicated to condemning the recent closure of the pro-opposition daily newspaper Ra’y al-Sha’b, the NCF’s chairman stressed that the opposition is ready to take to the streets and use all “legitimate and peaceful” means to overthrow the government.
He further stressed that the opposition would not resort to revenge and account-settling after the regime is overthrown.
The opposition figure however said that the NCF does not object to starting a dialogue with the NCP and reach an agreement that would dismantle the single-party state in favor of a multi-party state on the basis of a national program and new constitutional arrangements.
But Abu Issa returned to accuse the NCP of having no intention to share power and seeking to isolate other parties.
He pointed out that it was impossible to achieve a new constitution under the circumstances of wars and assaults on freedom. The NCF’s chairman said that political parties are not able to hold any public activities, and that newspapers are subdued by censorship and confiscation. “There is a limitless assault on freedom,” he added.
Abu Issa defended his group against the government’s allegation that the NCF has no political program, saying that they would end the war in Darfur, release all political detainees, address the economic crisis plaguing the country and adopt a foreign policy that would take care of the country’s interests while refraining from stirring up hostilities with the outside world.
The veteran oppositionist further decalred that the NCF’s goal was to restore unity with South Sudan and end the wars in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
(ST)