Sudan, January 15: The ex-rebels of southern Sudan have chosen Yassir Arman, a secular Muslim from North Sudan, to fight Omar al-Beshir in the April presidential election, the first multi-party ballot since 1986 in Sudan.
“The political bureau have unanimously picked comrade Yassir Said Arman as SPLM presidential candidate for the republic of Sudan,” Pagan Amum, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement secretary general, said early Friday morning, following marathon talks that began Thursday afternoon.
The ex-rebel southern group is challenging its former civil war enemies in the north in the first elections in 24 years.
“Comrade Yassir Arman has been for a long time freedom fighter, struggling in different fields for the SPLM,” said Amum.
“He has made tireless work to democratise the country and achieve a transition from totalitarian regime to democratic system of government in our country.”
Arman, speaking as he left the meeting, said he was confident of success. “I accept this nomination from the leadership from the SPLM, these are colleague freedom fighters I have known for many years,” he said.
“I was deeply touched by this nomination, and I know it is a serious job and work, and it is part of the struggle that we have been doing for the last 27 years, and I will continue with the same spirit of the SPLM.
“I am confident that the SPLM can win in the south and at the national level,” said Arman.
The elections were provided for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 between north and south Sudan to end a devastating 22-year civil war that cost the lives of two million people. The CPA is meant also to pave the way for a referendum on southern independence in January 2011.
For the presidential election of semi-autonomous south Sudan, the SPLM chose the current president of the Salva Kiir region, a former rebel commander who is also first Vice President of all Sudan.
“We have for the presidency of the Government of southern Sudan a sole candidate – comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit, the chairman of the SPLM,” said Amum.
The SPLM would contest elections at all levels, but was also considering alliances with other political parties, Amum said.
“The SPLM confirmed its readiness to contest the elections at all levels, from the presidential candidacy for presidential elections down to all levels at state levels,” said Amum.
“The SPLM is looking into possible alliances in these elections and will be discussing those with all the political parties,” said Amum, without giving further details, speaking as he left the meeting in the southern capital Juba.
Amum said selections of the candidates had been supported by all the top leaders of the SPLM.
Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir was officially nominated by his party on Tuesday to stand for reelection in April in the first multi-party elections in 24 years.
—Agencies