Sudan’s SPLM condemns govt use of force to quell students protest

KHARTOUM, Apr 21, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by John Garang has officially protested against the government use of force to quell students demonstrations staged for more than a week in Khartoum.

According to the Khartoum based newspaper Al-Mshaheer, the SPLM said it rejected any present effort aimed at toppling the regime in Khartoum “through confrontation and revolution incited by the demonstrations. “The SPLM is for reconciliation when dealing with the country’s issues”, it further said.

Pointing out at the students’ demonstrations in Khartoum, the SPLM official spokesman, Yasir Arman, said the SPLM would reject any confrontation with the government in order to topple it. He said the time had come to implement the peace agreement.

In a discussion held in Khartoum yesterday between SPLM leaders, civil society activists and political forces, Arman said the SPLM was committed to cooperate with the ruling National Congress and “it should go on until the end with an open heart and mind”.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.