Sudan’s ruling party minimizes Bashir’s statements over 2015 elections

March 12, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday played down statements by Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir who stated he would not seek a new mandate in the future. It pointed out on Sunday that only the party can decide on such matters.

Bashir who took over the reins of power in a bloodless coup d’état, told Doha-based al-Raya newspaper on Sunday that he would not seek his re-election for another term after the end of his current mandate which is supposed to terminate in 2015.

NCP’s deputy media officer Yasser Yussef told reporters that the General Conference of the Party is the one who decides on the nomination of al-Bashir or someone for the presidential elections of 2015. He further said that the issue was not on the agenda of the political sector meeting because there was no urgency.

Yasser who was speaking after a meeting of the NCP political sector headed by Sudan’s vice president AlHaj Adam who is the sector’s chairman told reporters they discussed a media plan to respond to what he called “fabrications broadcasted by foreign media backed by groups hostile to tarnish the image of Sudan .

Bashir who is 67 years old, last February said favourable to an initiative launched by the NCP’s youth calling to not elect any person to the office of the President more than twice. It also says that any member of the party who is over 60 years old should not be elected to any position in the party or the State.

(ST)