Sudanese party to end almost 20 years in opposition

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM

Sudan’s Popular Congress Party (PCP) -- founded by late Islamic leader Hassan Alturabi -- has said it would participate in a new “consensus” government after almost two decades in opposition.

PCP Secretary-General Ali Alhaji told reporters on Wednesday that the party was prepared to play a “symbolic” role in the incoming government with a view to encouraging national unity and dialogue.

In 1999, the party founded by Alturbi fell out with the ruling National Congress Party of President Omar al-Bashir and has remained in opposition ever since.

“We are prepared to accept posts in the consensus government in order to ease the challenges the new government will undoubtedly face,” Alhaji said.

The PCP, he added, had decided to participate in the governing process with a view to “encouraging peacemaking, alleviating poverty and improving public services for citizens”.

Along with holding five seats in parliament, the PCP will reportedly be given three ministries -- industry, international cooperation and information technology -- in the new consensus government.

Al-Bashir recently declared that the new government would be unveiled at some point later this week.

Formation of a “consensus” government -- along with the drafting of a new constitution -- was one of several recommendations to come out of Al-Bashir’s “national dialogue” with the Sudanese opposition.