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Sudanese president challenges opposition to stage protests against him

February 16, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir issued a warning to opposition parties not to cause insecurity and sabotage, striking a more defiant tone compared to his remarks in recent weeks.

Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir waves to the crowd during a rally in Kararey locality at Omdurman February 16, 2011 (Reuters)
Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir waves to the crowd during a rally in Kararey locality at Omdurman February 16, 2011 (Reuters)
Addressing uniformed army officers, Bashir also dared the opposition parties to mobilize people and take the streets and stage protests against his rule “if they have any supporters”.

He stressed that the National Congress Party (NCP) he chairs rejects opposition demands for an interim government that would prepare the country for new elections.

While affirming his commitment to freedoms, Bashir said he will not allow for chaos and that there would not be any government change in the manner demanded by the opposition unless the latter manages to gather street support which he suggested is unlikely.

Sudan held presidential and parliamentary elections last year that gave the NCP a comfortable win in Northern constituencies while keeping the presidential post.

South Sudan will officially secede next July giving the NCP absolute majority in the parliament after the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is no longer part of the national unity government.

Bashir has offered opposition to join the government ranks after the South breaks away.

However, the proposal fell short of demands by Northern parties which want the NCP to relinquish power and run again in fair and free elections that would be held after crafting a new constitution that enjoys broad support.

Despite that, Bashir’s party is in talks with several opposition parties on joining the upcoming government.

The NCP is under pressure to relax its grip on power particularly after two successful revolts managed to bring down regimes in Egypt and Tunisia. Moreover, several small demonstrations took place last month by Sudanese youths across the country who mobilized through social networking websites such as Facebook.

However, Sudanese police dealt swiftly with the protests and detained dozens of protesters most of whom were only released today.

Sudanese officials downplayed any potential for unrest in the country saying the people enjoy far more freedom than citizens in Egypt and Tunisia.

But the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi dismissed NCP’s labeling of opposition as “weak” saying that they are exercising maximum restraint to avoid escalation that would lead to violence and balkanization of the country.

He called on the NCP to “get off their high horse” and change its mentality that relies on excluding dissenting voices.

(ST)

8 Comments

  • Kolnyang youth
    Kolnyang youth

    Sudanese president challenges opposition to stage protests against him
    Dear:Sudanese in North :

    You should protest like Egyptians if you wait and Southerners separated from North then,you will suffered like nothing.

    Anti-tribalism.

    Reply
  • Phreaking words
    Phreaking words

    Sudanese president challenges opposition to stage protests against him
    AHAHAHAHA! why President Bashir warned citizens while keep on persuasiveness towards Khartuom police to keep arresting the civilians who attempted to make a peaceful demonstrations, he might be right in other hands, they were the ones who brought him to power last yr(April 2010), his gvt is improving this time, that is why other parties tried by any negative ways/means to strengthen their coercion, so that they spoil the possession offered/grant to South, thus in vain. their stomach causes disturbances due to his acceptance of secession of South Sudan.

    to continue enjoying freemdom, Bashir didn’t want to allow chaos and that there would not be any government change in both North & South in the manner demanded by the opposition unless the latter manages to gather street support upon the newly born South Sudan Gvrt officially secede so there will no confusion which lead to unresolve the remaining issues of Abyei, Southern Kordafan and Blue, those to be solved peacefully through the right of the citizens inhabited the areas and chaos being cause will bring two Nations(South & North Sudan) to war over the disputed areas. and for this reason that is why Bashir has offered opposition to join the government ranks after the South breaks away in July this year.
    Please keep two coalition parties at rest not at unrest like other Arab countries to finalized the remaining issues. Despite the pact that Arab world are matter a lot to change monarchy ruling, you apply this once South officially secede, or do you think you are trying this in order to spoil the possible secession of South, remember how many decades of civil war?(2)to reach current peace. what will you expect? it has been started Mour Mour of 105 and now SPLA is saying OYEEEEE in Khartoum.
    Only Bashir knows, he respect the right of South, when said in 1990s that he will kill SPLA/M solder-by-solder till nothing called SPLA/M, late Garang Vs Bashir answered SPLA/M will be pronounced in your presidential palace by saying SPLA/M Oyeeeeeeeee. Isn’t now? Oyeeeeee?
    Please allow Bashir to solve the remaining issues peacefully before go to ICC to present himself.
    And to my Sudanese colleagues who use to mobilize themselves over the facebook, your times are merging, you will demonstrate.
    Sudanese police who dealt swiftly with the protests and detained dozens of protesters must know their work rather than detention of peaceful protesters. Sudan is not more important in police utility than Egypt and Tunisia who didn’t use their public police to stop unrest.

    Reply
  • Garchan
    Garchan

    Sudanese president challenges opposition to stage protests against him
    Dear Mad Mahdists,

    Go ahead with Protest i will advise Mr. President to prepare your Funeral before you faces are lost!

    Besshir has already made his coffin waiting grave digger. Are yours Ready?

    Otherwise wait for next election if you are ready to dig.

    Reply
  • Stephen Gatloth K
    Stephen Gatloth K

    Sudanese president challenges opposition to stage protests against him
    Only to the article,Gatloth Gai in Bentiu.

    An Oposition parties in the northern sudan must this time witnes and evalute the president Bacher acts from signatury of CPA to date.

    From my side as southerners,i can thank Bacher for his well done in Sudan and south sudan in particular.

    It was never happen in that way since 1956 when the country got independent that an Arab leader faboured non muslim right as Bacher been doing for African south Sudanese.It was more than one time when sudan government signed peace acord with many movement at various venues and colapsed in implementation.

    But Bacher this time has prove that he is a good leader who can service the nation regardless of thier race.

    Thanks Mr.President Bacher.Those against you,will drop like fruits.we the southerners are standing behind you ,nothing than thanks from us to you.

    Thank you Mr.president.Long live the relationship bnt south and north sudan.Long live mr. President Bacher.Long live the CPA.

    Gatloth Gai Keah a PEACE LOVER is reachable at :[email protected] or +249917666405.

    Reply
  • Deng Awech
    Deng Awech

    Sudanese president challenges opposition to stage protests against him
    The wind of change knows no rank of power; it catches one unawares. Better not challenge the opposition.

    Reply
  • Biliu
    Biliu

    Sudanese president challenges opposition to stage protests against him
    promise that police will not use tearsgas and baton and I promise you…. you will not stay in power for a month!!

    Reply
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