Ruling party casts doubts on unity of Sudan’s opposition forces
July 3, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan‘s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) questioned the possibility of a political agreement between the opposition forces over a post regime period, pointing to lack of trust among its components.
The NUP held last Friday the largest protest after Friday prayers outside one of its mosques in Omdurman where its leader Sadiq Al-Mahdi vowed that the party will be fully involved in the peaceful political defiance after the signing of the political agreement by all the opposition parties.
But Sidiq Hamid, head of NCP organisational sector cast doubts over such unity stressing that they failed to sign the political agreement last week because they had disagreed on a rotating process to preside over the collegial head of state, Council of Sovereignty.
According to the constitutional declaration, the extent of the interim period is three years, and the rotation among the seven NCF members should take place every six months. One of the opposition parties , consequently, will not lead the collegial presidency.
Hamid went further to say that the difference between the opposition members over who will lead the Council of Sovereignty sprouted doubts among the leaders of the opposition alliance.
He pointed out that the fear of marginalisation among the seven political forces demonstrates that the most important issue for them is not the nation, but power.
The ruling party was impressed during the first week of protests as they were not expecting such reaction on the Sudanese streets. However they decided to react to the protests and to have a political presence everywhere.
Sources close to the opposition say the rebel groups were also consulted on the political charter to be signed Wednesday. However it is not clear how they will react with regard to this agreement as they believe they also have the right to take part in the interim institutions.
Political observers in Khartoum underscore the need for a political clarification between the opposition and rebel groups as the former accused the later of hampering the popular uprising in the country.
The opposition proposes to hold a national conference to discuss the problems of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan and to associate the rebels in the Constituent Assembly which should prepare the after NCP era constitution.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) said it will hold a ceasefire if the regime is down and called on the political forces to strengthen their coordination with the rebel alliance.
(ST)