UMMA Party Says Country At Critical Moment As Referendum Nears

17 November 2010 – (Khartoum) – The leader of the national UMMA party says the country is at a very critical and important time as the southern referendum nears.

Sadiq Al-Mahdi spoke on Tuesday, during the Eid Al-Adha’s celebrations in Al-Hijra’s mosque in Omdurman.

[Sadiq Al-Mahdi]: “Of course as stipulated in the CPA, there will be an important event taking place shortly, which is the self determination referendum for the southerners. However, though we have around five situations. Number one; the NCP’s condition namely unity under the same old system or the continuation of what is currently happening. Two; is the SPLM’s stand and call for separation without clarifying the essence of their stand. The CPA calls for making unity an attractive choice but the government failed to make unity attractive during the interim period. And yes the CPA gives the choice of separation, but it also didn’t talk of the essence of that separation.”

Al-Mahdi also urged the SPLM to clearly define their stand in the coming referendum and come out clearly on issues that demand cooperation.

[Sadiq Al-Mahdi]: “The separation should be clearly defined for the southerners across Sudan, bearing in mind that there are a few issues that will require cooperation between the north and the south, like water, oil among other things. We also need cooperation in development, enhanced security and the international relations. I simply think we should be talking of unity under a new basis or, if separation that will be of a clear vision that will benefit both sides as far as the common grounds are concerned.”

The leader of the national UMMA party Sadiq Al-Mahdi spoke on Tuesday in Omdurman.