Bashir unconcerned by campaign calling on him to step down

March 8, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir dismissed the campaign launched by opposition forces which calls on him to resign and stressed that it does not frighten him.

“We are not scared of anyone and we do not care about anyone. We only fear God almighty,” he added.

Bashir made the remarks today as he received pledge of allegiance and support for his candidacy from Sufi sects in Khartoum state at the complex of Sheikh Musa Abdullahi Hussein.

Most opposition forces reject the elections and want it postponed until the formation of a national government for a transitional period that would oversee the drafting of a new constitution and fair elections.

They launched a campaign under the slogan “Leave” to boycott the elections and encouraged citizens to sign up.

A spokesman for Sudanese Congress party (ScoP) Abubakr Yusuf told Sudan Tribune on February 17th that all opposition forces are devising new methods for the boycott campaign.

Bashir described the opposition campaign against him as an attempt to scare him.

“What are they scaring us with? Death?… No one will die before his time and we want an honorable death…It is only one death and we want it for the sake of Allah …. to join the martyrs”.

Bashir vowed to bow to the will of the people if he is not elected.

The 71-year old president previously said he would not seek a new term saying the country needs “fresh blood”. The appointment of a military, Bakri Hassan Saleh, as first vice-president was also perceived as a step towards his departure.

But Bashir later backtracked on his pledge saying he came under pressure to run again but vowed that he will step down in 2020 under constitutional term limit.

(ST)