Sudan’s NUP leader calls for establishment of new political coalition

October 1, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The head of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) al-Sadiq al-Mahdi on Tuesday called for forming a new political coalition known as the ‘ National Charter Front ’ that would work on establishing a new regime based on pre-agreed principles.

Al-Mahdi who was addressing a memorial ceremony at the party’s headquarters dedicated to those who were killed during last week’s anti-government protests which broke out following Khartoum’s decision to lift fuel subsidies.

While authorities insist that only 33 were killed including policemen, opposition and activists put the death toll in the 100’s.

The government denied using live ammunition against the protestors and suggested that rebel elements were behind the killings.

But even officials in the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) have pointed fingers at the government for the deaths that occurred.

The NUP chief said that the protests gave momentum the country’s political movement, demonstrated the confusion of the regime and added new forces to the opposition ranks.

Al-Mahdi asserted that the regime reached the end due to its bad deeds but warned that the alternative is either a change through unknown adventurers or at the hands of national will.

He called on all forces to join his party’s petition which includes condemning the killing of protestors which he said by the NUP account reached more than a 100, releasing all those detained in connection with last week’s events, lifting ban imposed on certain media outlets, decrying acts of sabotage, calling for establishing of an investigation commission into the protests, reinstating fuel subsidies, determination to continue protests and sealing a new charter that paves the way for a new coalition.

The National Charter Front would form a working group consisting of 12-19 figures who represent the different colors of the “new regime” to oversee the joint activities till a new regime is established.

Al-Mahdi also urged all forces to agree on days for holding sit-ins inside Sudan and in front of Sudanese embassies abroad.

But many observers are skeptical on whether the NUP in particular is willing to move in the direction of the regime change as its leader has repeatedly said he wants to reform not to topple the NCP.

They also point out that Al-Mahdi’s son is Abdulrahman is currently Bashir’s assistant.

The NUP chief, who is also Sudan’s last democratically elected Prime Minister, has refused to join opposition efforts to mobilize the streets and distanced himself from anti-austerity demonstrations which took place last year.

(ST)