Sudanese opposition party rejects ban on political meetings
June 25, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — The main opposition Umma National Party (UNP) vowed Monday to hold meetings and other political activities in defiance of a ban imposed by security services since last week.
The opposition party which proposes to hold a national conference including all the opposition and rebel groups called recently to organise pacific protests against the rise of prices and austerity measures announced by the government.
The UNP political bureau chaired by Sadiq Al-Mahdi decided in a meeting Monday to reject a decision issued following the protest by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) preventing the party from holding political meetings in its headquarters..
“It is our right and the right of all the citizens to peacefully express their political demands. We will keep using all the legal forms to express our positions rejecting the government policies in planned and disciplined manner avoiding disorder and sabotage,” the statement said.
The former prime minister, Mahdi, was attacked from the opposition forces was criticized from the opposition forces for refusing to confront the regime, saying his peaceful calls for dialogue will not find positive echo from President Bashir.
But Mahdi explained his position by the need to preserve the integrity of the country and to avoid the escalation of violence expecting that rebels would seek during the troubles to control towns before to attack Khartoum.
On another development, the security services surrounded Monday the premises of the Popular Congress Party of Hassan Al-Turabi in Khartoum and arrested 13 members who were inside it.
Also, PCP political officer, Kamal Omer, accused NISS agents of abducting his son outside his home in Khartoum two days ago. He said they came to the house and asked about him but when they realised he was not there they took his son.
(ST)