Sudan to implement comprehensive reform document: officials

December 14, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) announced that it is currently developing a comprehensive political reforms document which it described as historic that could be implemented as soon as two weeks.

The NCP leadership council discussed at a three-hour meeting on Saturday ways to fight corruption while continuing political and economic reforms.

Amin Hassan Omer, a leading NCP figure, said that they would produce a historic reform document in conjunction with the recent changes in the government and the party, affirming that it will enable them to sweep the upcoming 2015 elections.

Last week, president Omer Al-Bashir who is also the chairman of the NCP issued presidential decrees appointing Bakri Hassan Salih as First Vice President, Hassabo Abdel-Rahman as 2nd Vice President and Ibrahim Ghandour as presidential assistant as well as decrees appointing 26 ministers and state ministers.

The biggest surprise in the reshuffle was the departure of the powerful presidential assistant Nafie Ali Nafie from the government and the NCP leadership. The cabinet also witnessed the stepping down of veteran oil minister Awad Ahmed Al-Jaz, who remained in the government formation since 1989.

Ali Osman Taha who was viewed as the top Islamist figure in the government said last week he resigned as 1st VP to allow Bashir to implement his “change” vision

Omer told reporters following the leadership council meeting that the committees which were established by the party to draft recommendations on reform issues have submitted their reports during the meeting which he expected to be incorporated in one document.

Another NCP leading figure, Samia Ahmed Mohamed, told reporters that the aims to improve the political environment and secures stability, freedoms, rights and building the economy.

She added that the document meets aspirations of the party members and its sympathizers, pointing out that the meeting discussed 11 challenges facing the party including the economy, tripartite economic program, foreign relations, political reforms, corruption, civil service, constitution, peace and rupture of the social fabric.

(ST)