Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has lifted the ban on political parties that was imposed 13 years ago following his rise to power. In a presidential decree published on Saturday, al-Bashir set conditions for these parties, stating that only those parties that were present in parliament before the 1989 coup can apply for licenses. Another condition is that the party must condemn the use of violence and commit to a peaceful transfer of power. Under these conditions, the Umma Party led by Sadiq al-Mahdi, the Democratic Unionist Party led by Muhammad al-Mirghani, and several other smaller parties can participate in parliamentary elections. The mentioned condition does not include the Sudan People's Liberation Army, the main rebel group in southern Sudan, which has been at war with the central government for greater autonomy in the south over the past two decades.
Sudanese President Lifts Ban on Political Parties - 2002-08-11
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has lifted a 13-year ban on political parties, allowing only those that existed before his 1989 coup to apply for licenses, provided they condemn violence and commit to peaceful power transfer. This move affects several political parties but excludes the main rebel group in southern Sudan, which has been fighting for autonomy.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has lifted a 13-year ban on political parties, allowing only those that existed before his 1989 coup to apply for licenses, provided they condemn violence and commit to peaceful power transfer. This move affects several political parties but excludes the main rebel group in southern Sudan.
- The ban on political parties was in place since al-Bashir's rise to power in 1989.
- Only parties that were in parliament prior to the coup are eligible to register.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Sudan has experienced decades of civil conflict and authoritarian rule, with al-Bashir's government facing criticism for human rights abuses and lack of political freedoms. The SPLA's struggle for autonomy highlights the complexities of Sudan's internal divisions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%