Turabi’s party to mediate for amnesty of death sentenced rebels

November 30, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) of Hassan al-Turabi said they intend to request an executive clemency for Darfur rebels sentenced to death last Thursday.

Two Sudanese members of a Darfur rebel group attend their trial session in the city of Omdurman, Sudan Aug. 20, 2008 (Photo AFP)

A Sudanese special court sentenced 18 members of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi to death by hanging, as they were captured last March by the government troops

PCP political secretary, Kamal Omer, Monday said that his party is able to mediate for a settlement of the issue of the 18 rebels, adding that they are in close contact with the SLM-MM and the other groups.

Speaking to the media in a press conference, Omer further said the PCP strongly rejects the death sentence against the SLM-MM members, pointing that it is one of the important armed groups.

’’We hope that these verdicts will not going to be implemented because the political climate requires to not enact it,’’ he said, alluding to the ongoing efforts to create a conducive environment paving the way for the participation of the armed groups in the national dialogue conference.

He further stressed that the release of the political detainees and prisoners is one of the important confidence building measures to convince the armed movements to join the dialogue process.

The PCP political secretary pointed out that his party will meet the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) to discuss ways to solve the issue of Darfur students’ exemption from tuition fees.

Omer has further announced his party’s solidarity with Darfur student’s demands, but noted that his party is refusing violence and destruction of public properties.

’’Darfur students have legitimate demands acquired from the previous agreement and it should be implemented,’’ he added.

Since 2013, the federal authorities and the Darfur Regional Authority agreed that only sons of refugees and displaced persons are eligible for the exemption of tuition. But several Darfur student unions regularly contest this decision and demand that it should be for all the Darfurians.

CEASEFIRE EXTENSION

In another development, the PCP political secretary has called on President Omer al-Bashir to extend the two-month ceasefire announced last October to encourage the rebel groups to join the national dialogue.

Omer has attributed the failure of the latest round of talks between the government and the armed groups to the "lack of a correct vision to resolve the Sudanese crisis".

He also denied receiving an invitation from the African Union mediation to participate in the national dialogue preparatory meeting on December 7.

He refused the participation of the political opposition parties in the pre-dialogue meeting, adding that it will be exclusively for the armed movements.

But he was quick to add that they may accept the National Umma Party of Sadiq al-Mahdi because they are part of September 2014 agreement between the dialogue body, armed groups and the mediation.

Source: Sudan tribune