Sudan’s NCP to start mobilising against US Congress bill

March 13, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in Sudan announced a mobilisation plan against a draft bill tabled by the United States Congress calling for sanctions against Khartoum.

Sudanese second vice president Al-Haj Adam Youssef headed an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the resolution which was co-sponsored by 3 US lawmakers. He described the proposed law as “unjust” and targeting the sovereignty and independence of Sudan.

He further labelled those behind the bill as irresponsible. Sudan has officially asked the US administration this week for clarifications regarding the bill.

According to summary of draft resolution, the ‘Sudan Peace, Security, and Accountability Act of 2012’ “would create a truly comprehensive strategy for ending serious human rights violations, promoting democratic reform, and establishing lasting peace in Sudan”.

It also creates a sanctions regime to target any government or person who supports or assists in the commission of serious human rights violations, including those who:

– provide any military equipment to the Government of Sudan;
– contribute $500,000 or more of goods or other support to the Government of
Sudan or its proxies and which directly and significantly contribute to the
commission of serious human rights;
– interfere with humanitarian aid;
– impede or threaten peace or stability in Sudan; or
– fail to execute international arrest warrants against Government of Sudan
officials.

Youssef accused ‘gangs’ who continually accuse Sudan of committing genocide or of planning mass exterminations of Sudanese people through their institutions, which, he said want to punish countries and individuals who are helping Khartoum as well as restricting movement of its officials.

The Sudanese VP said that Washington failed in its regime change through creating an Arab Spring in the country.

He claimed that US and Israeli backed experts are in the neighbouring state of South Sudan assisting rebels fighting the Sudanese army on multiple fronts in the country, particularly Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

Youssef went on to say that Washington had ignited the Darfur conflict after peace was agreed with the south, to prevent Sudan from receiving foreign aid.

The Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), an alliance of diverse rebels who want to overthrow Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir are currently battling Khartoum in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

It includes the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) and a number of Darfur rebel groups namely Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) as well as Sudan Liberation Movement of Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) and Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM).

The vice president urged all political parties to stand with the NCP against the US draft bill.

(ST)