Sudan’s President slams Paris Declaration

Sudan’s President Omar Al Bashir has renewed his attack against the Paris Declaration signed on 8 August by Malik Agar, chairman of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF, an alliance of the main rebel movements) and El Sadig El Mahdi, president of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP). Addressing the General Assembly of the National Dialogue on Sunday, Al Bashir branded the Paris Declaration “an Israeli product that begins with the SRF’s declaration of El Fasher as a national capital, moving to take over power in Khartoum by force of arms, and then forming a transitional Government under the Presidency of El Sadig El Mahdi.” Al Bashir said in that the plan included the need for a national figure which was achieved by engaging of El Sadig El Mahdi. He described the Paris Declaration as “very dangerous”. ‘Irresponsible’ NUP Co-President Dr Maryam El Sadig described Al Bashir’s speech as “irresponsible, disrespectful, and contrary to the morals, customs and ethics of the Sudanese.” In an interview with Radio Dabanga, she accused Al Bashir of “telling lies that are completely unfounded”. She pointed out that the outputs of the Paris Declaration are purely Sudanese. “I was part of the Paris Declaration who prepared for this meeting, and am ready to substantiate that in the event Al Bashir wants any proof. “Al Bashir’s speech confirms that he is panicked by the ICC, especially that he and his colleagues are being pursued for crimes they committed against the Sudanese people.” She said she “felt sorry for Al Bashir’s speech”, saying “as long as these are instructions of the Head of State, we in the Umma Party will expect more repressions and arrests.” ‘Lies’ Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) media representative El Tom Hajo described Al Bashir’s speech as a “part of a long series of lies which the Sudanese people got used to from the personality of Al Bashir, who began his rule with a lie”. Hajo told Radio Dabanga the Sudanese people and all the patriotic forces have been completely convinced that Al Bashir’s repressive and bloody regime must go. Hajo accused the NCP of having “secret undeclared relations with Israel, with the knowledge of the international community, while Israel is beating them inside their homeland for terrorism which they know and deny”. He called upon the Sudanese people to resort to the option of uprising, as Al-Bashir’s authoritarian regime is not worthy of ruling over the people of Sudan. Two choices NUP head El Sadig El Mahdi, gave the Khartoum regime two choices: either to negotiate according to the road map of the Paris Declaration or to expect popular uprising. He demanded the international community to “speak a unified language in exerting pressure on the regime”. Dr Ghazi Salah Eddin, Chairman of the Reform Now Party predicted non-participation of the NUP in dialogue after President Al Bashir’s remarks about the Paris Declaration. In a press statement, Ghazi demanded the Government to clarify the boundaries. He pointed that it intentionally misled the political forces without submitting evidence to the opposition that there is a conspiracy to seize power. File photo: NUP leader El Sadig El Mahdi (L) and Justice and Equality rebel leader, Dr Jibril Ibrahim in Paris, 7 August 2014 (Radio Dabanga) Related: Opposition boycotts Sudan dialogue meeting, elections (3 November 2014)