Sudan’s NUP rejects NISS demands to dissolve the party

January 28, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The National Umma Party (NUP) submitted its formal response to a filing made by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) calling for the party to be dissolved on the grounds that it signed accords with rebel groups seeking to topple the regime.

The security apparatus based its request made to the Council of Political Parties last December on NUP chairman al-Sadiq al-Mahdi being a signatory to the ‘Paris Declaration’ and ‘Sudan Call’ accords with rebel groups stressing that it calls for dismantling the “one-party state” and mobilising all forces “to change the existing constitutional order in the country that carries a military aspect”.

The NISS said in its complaint that alliance with rebels violates Sudan interim constitution of 2005 and Political Parties Act of 2007.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir has previously threatened al-Mahdi with prosecution when he returns to the country unless he disavows the agreements he signed.

Al-Mahdi, who has remained abroad since the accords, refused to heed to al-Bashir’s request and instead called on him to apologise for accusing him of coordinating with US and Israeli spy agencies.

The NUP said in its rebuttal that the NISS has no locus standi to make such a request because only the legal representative of the state in the form of the justice minister can do so.

They also pointed out that the request was signed by unnamed NISS official who was identified only as the head of the NISS executive office rather than a specific name within the bureau such as the NISS director which necessitates summarily dismissing it.

The NUP response also underscored that the NISS constitutional role is to gather intelligence and not file complaints with other bodies against individuals or institutions.

The party described the NISS complaint as “confused” because it referenced certain articles of the Council of Political Parties code which does not give the latter the power to dissolve the NUP.

It also noted that political parties are prohibited from adopting a programme that conflicts with the constitution but that the NISS was only making a complaint about an activity undertaken by the NUP chief.

Furthermore, they pointed out that the Sudan Call accord was signed in the African Union (AU) headquarters at the request by chief mediator Thabo Mbeki who asked Sudanese sides to decide on their negotiating position.

The agreement, the NUP said, is not an alliance with rebel group but a common political position that calls for cessation of hostilities.

They recalled al-Mahdi’s stated positions opposing the use of force as means to achieve political goals.

(ST)