Sudan’s “second republic” lineup: leaner, with decorative opposition
President al-Bashir introduced his plan for a second republic” in July and said the specifics would be announced at the end of August, but they are yet to be revealed.
He said the number of ministries will be reduced, with new ministers assuming positions with the participation of opposition parties that have negotiated portfolios since national elections in April 2010.
Omar al-BashirThe ruling National Congress Party (NCP) said it considers the presence of opposition parties a step forward. But whether they can all find common ground on thorny issues as Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and north-south relations is another matter.
Inviting the opposition to join the government is a way out of its predicament after South Sudan’s independence,” said Al-Nour Adam, a political analyst.
As Khartoum struggles to navigate through an economic crisis following the south’s secession, it faces mounting pressure over broken agreements to halt fighting in the Nuba Mountains. Still subject to US sanctions, it is under UN investigation for possible war crimes in Southern Kordofan. And in case anyone has overlooked it lately, President al-Bashir, who came to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, is still wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
Al-Nour Adam sees the participation of opposition parties as a decorative formality” to ease international pressure on the current government in light of the ongoing violence in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States, where tens of thousands have been displaced.
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Meanwhile, the opposition parties’ contradictory statements about their potential role in the government are seen as a crisis of confidence in the political establishment.
The opposition alliance, headed by the National Umma Party (NUP), has made any presence in the government conditional upon a constitutional conference to address democratic reforms, the economy, north-south relations, and conflict resolution in Southern Kordofan and Darfur.
It has also demanded the formation of a national transitional authority to pave the way for free and fair elections after agreeing on a constitutional structure to resolve conflicts in the country.
The NCP has insisted on forming a broad coalition government.
So far, the NUP is the only party to have signaled definite participation in the second republic.”
The NCP should accept a smooth process of change while addressing the nation’s crises, instead of declaring confrontation that would force it to step down,” said Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, head of the NUP.
Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur, 27 March
UN Photo: Albert Gonzalez FarranRepresentatives of the Liberty and Justice Movement who signed the Doha Agreement on Darfur in July are likely to renew their participation in a future government.
Muhammad Diya Al-Din, a spokesman for the opposition alliance, announced a range of procedures to fill the political vacuum,” which includes a comprehensive change mechanism.”
But the government has refused the opposition’s demands to introduce constitutional reforms or hold early elections because of previous allegations of forgery. It insists on participation under the NCP’s terms: the formation of a transitional government with a new constitution that includes laws stipulating how free and fair elections should be organised.
At a meeting with some opposition leaders, the Assistant of the President and deputy chair of the NCP, Nafie Ali Nafie, said his party is seeking agreement on core issues.” But this rings hollow to Al-Nour Adam, the political analyst.
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The NCP wants to end the opposition’s demands to overthrow the regime and take to the streets, but this will only take place after the dismantling of the opposition alliance,” Adam added. The NCP is well aware that certain parties, especially the Popular Congress, will refuse to participate in the government.”
Also known as the Juba Declaration, the opposition alliance has not officially responded to the latest developments. At the same time, President Al-Bashir has urged his committees to survey the parties’ final positions before he announces the new government.
The DUP is not a charitable organisation, but a party with a long history in power and governance.”
The DUP’s response to the government’s invitation has ranged from acceptance to rejection.
The DUP has some power seekers who admire the NCP and wish to be close to it, but the overall approach will eventually prevail,” said Abo Al-Hassan Farah, one of the party leaders.
Farah added that the DUP has formed committees to negotiate key issues with the government such as the future of Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, as well as the constitution, the economy and democratic reforms.
Its final decision, however, depends on public participation and credible democratic transition.
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In a similar vein, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction led by Minni Minnawi, which signed the 2006 Abuja Agreement on peace in Darfur, demanded the formation of a national committee to draft the new constitution, while clarifying that it supports the legitimacy of the current government which will expire by the end of its constitutional term.”
The SLM is ready to coordinate” with the NCP on different issues, according to the party’s Secretary-General, Ali Hussein Dossa.
A spokesman for the Popular Congress Party said it was not invited to join the future government.
While President Al-Bashir insists the makeup of his next government is not about substitution, he may be urged to widen his proclaimed search for the best” to those who do not follow his party’s line. While that may mean headaches for the NCP, inviting more than a decorative presence of opposition might earn him some respect.
Editor: Alexa Dvorson
