Sudanese president wants martial law extended

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Dec 13, 2004 (UPI) — Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir asked parliament Monday to extend martial law in force in the country since 1999 for another year.

Parliament Speaker Ahmed al-Taher told legislators that Bashir sent him a letter “asking for the extension of the martial law for a year due to security developments in the country and security threats in the province of Darfur which necessitate precautions to ensure peace.”

Taher said Bashir promised to lift the martial law when threats to security cease to exist and vowed to boost public freedoms.

He said the president also asked to extend the mandate of the present parliament to be able to ratify the peace agreement expected to be reached soon with rebels from the Sudanese People Liberation Army.

Martial law was imposed in Sudan in December 1999 following the power struggle between Bashir and his former ally Hassan al-Turabi.

Bashir resorted to martial law to amend the constitution and dissolve the parliament, which was presided over by Turabi, and to appoint the governors of provinces.

The martial law has been extended annually since then.