Drafting new constitution is top priority for Sudan parliament: speaker

December 13, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s newly appointed parliament speaker, Al-Fatih Izz Al-Deen, has declared that the next major priority of the legislative body is to draft a constitution based on national consensus.

Al-Deen, who assumed his duties as speaker last week, said in a statement before the parliament on Thursday that they look forward having a constitution that emerges through national consensus, adding that the law of the land is an issue of interest to all Sudanese.

He added that the parliament would also amend the elections law, asserting that the move is intended to enhance the state’s efforts to secure fair and transparent polls, which would set the stage for the participation of all political forces in the upcoming 2015 elections.

The speaker said that Sudan not only produced the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), but also delivered NUP leader Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, as well as [national and religious leaders] Ismail Al-Azhari and Ali Al-Mirghani, reiterating that the country’s history did not start with the current regime and will not end with its demise.

Opposition forces believe that an all-party conference, including rebel groups, should take place before discussions on the new constitution.

They also propose the formation of a national unity government to run the country during an interim period followed by elections after settlement of regional conflicts and agreement on constitutional principles.

The Sudanese government has refused opposition demands for the formation of an interim government and parliament, calling on them to prepare themselves to compete freely in 2015 general elections.

(ST)