Khartoum’s SCSP to engage in dialogue with “outlaws”
May 17, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Supreme Council for Social Peace (SCSP) in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum said it has received a list containing names of criminal gangs from the police in order to engage in dialogue with them.
It said in a statement on Saturday that political instability has negatively impacted peaceful coexistence, calling for the need to analyse causes behind violence that accompanied the protests which erupted last September.
Meanwhile, several experts underscored the need to reconsider measures for the granting of citizenship besides securing equitable distribution of services and providing free basic education, calling for dealing with ethnic and cultural diversity cautiously.
The chairman of the SCSP’s general secretariat for strategic planning, Omer Basan, called for conducting a deep study on the violence which accompanied the protests of last September, saying it is related to political instability and social disparities.
The protests broke out in Sudan’s major towns following an announcement by the government that it was lifting subsidies on fuel and other basic commodities, leading to calls for regime change.
At least 200 protesters died, 15 of them children, and more than 800 others have been detained.
The SCSP general secretary, Jalal al-Din al-Tayeb, in a session devoted to discussing the 2013 performance report, said that South Sudan’s secession was disappointing despite efforts made by the SCSP to guarantee peaceful coexistence.
He added the mission of the SCSP was changed following the independence of South Sudan, noting it is currently working towards achieving social peace.
South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9th 2011 following a referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should remain a part of the country or become independent. 99% of the southern voters chose independence.
Al-Tayeb further affirmed that social peace is facing great risks and threats, pointing they launched several projects in order to avoid the “ticking bombs” that could go off at any time.
Al-Tayeb also mentioned that the SCSP suffers from poor funding, saying its draft law was submitted for approval.
He further called for removing duality and overlap between the federal and state authorities.
Last Month, the World Bank’s (WB) country director for Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, Bella Bird, said that half of Sudan’s population is living below the poverty line and noted that the percentage of poor people in the capital Khartoum has increased by at least 25%.
(ST)