Sudan opposition DUP party to boycott new power-sharing government

KHARTOUM, Jan 8 (AFP) — Sudan’s second largest opposition party has said it will not participate in a transitional government due to be formed after a peace agreement between Khartoum and southern rebels, the press reported Saturday.

The decision by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to stay out of the power-sharing administration could deal a blow to efforts by President Omar al-Beshir to garner support among northerners, which he needs to balance southern influence.

“We will not participate in a transitional government,” party leader Mohammed Osman al-Mirghani said.

His statement was released as the party reopened its offices in Khartoum for the first time in 15 years.

Last month, the Umma Party for Reform and Renewal, an offshoot of the Umma Party, Sudan’s largest political group, pulled out of an alliance with Beshir, causing the resignation from government of 14 senior party members.

Northern and southern political groups that are not affiliated to the ruling National Congress party of Beshir or the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement have the right to participate in the transitional government under the terms of the peace agreement.

The agreement, due to be signed in Nairobi Sunday, gives the National Congress 52 percent of executive positions, the SPLM 28 percent, other southern groups six percent and northern parties 16 percent.

Despite his refusal to be part of the interim government, Mirghani hailed the deal to end Africa’s longest-running conflict.

“The DUP welcomes the peace agreement, which will stop the bloodshed,” he said, adding he looked forward to a swift conclusion to separate negotiations between the government and ethnic minority rebels in Darfur, and between Khartoum and northern opposition groups.