Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Sudanese Ruling Party Official Says Banned Newspaper Violated CPA

   Peter Clottey 06 July 2010
   A  Sudanese man holds three archive copies of 'Rai al-Shaab' newspaper
   which was confiscated, 16 May 2010.

Photo: AFP

   A  Sudanese man holds three archive copies of 'Rai al-Shaab' newspaper
   which was confiscated, 16 May 2010.

   A  leading member of Sudanâs ruling National Congress Party (NCP) told
   VOA  a  banned  independent  newspaper violated the 2005 Comprehensive
   Peace  Agreement  signed  between  his  party  and  the Sudan Peopleâs
   Liberation Movement (SPLM).

   Rabie Abdulatti Obeid said the newspaper published articles advocating
   the  semi-autonomous south Sudanâs secession which he said is contrary
   to stipulations of the peace accord.

   âOne  of the major reasons for stoppage of these newspapers, on top of
   them  Al  Intibaha  newspaper,  that  (they  were)  use(d)  to promote
   cessation  between  north  and  south,  and  not encouraging the unity
   between  south  and north. They think that the unity between south and
   north is joining between two contradictions,â he said.

   He  also  said  articles published by the newspaper often stated that,
   while the north favors the full implementation of Sharia Law, the SPLM
   wants secularism in both the north and the south.

   The CPA calls on both the NCP and the SPLM to work closely together to
   make âunity attractiveâ ahead of next yearâs scheduled referendum.

   The referendum will allow residents in the semi-autonomous south Sudan
   to  decide  whether  to  be  part  of the original Sudan or secede and
   become an independent nation.

   Analysts,  as  well  as senior officials of the government of Southern
   Sudan,  have  said  that  it  is  unlikely residents in the south will
   choose to be part of the original Sudan.

   But,  NCP  official  Obeid  said  President  Omar  Hassan  Al-Bashirâs
   administration is committed to Sudanâs unity.

   âThe government believes that the promotion of secession between north
   and  south  will not help (in) achieving (Sudanâs) unity in the coming
   referendum, which will be conducted in the beginning (of) 2011,â Obeid
   said.

   Local   media  reports  that  Sudanâs  intelligence  services  Tuesday
   re-imposed press censorship ahead of south Sudanâs January referendum.

   The distribution of three newspapers, including Al-Intibaha, Al-Tayyar
   and  Al-Ahdath, has reportedly been stopped after they were accused of
   being critical of south Sudanâs government.

   Critics   say  President  Bashirâs  government  is  clamping  down  on
   dissenting views, which they argue flouts Sudanâs constitution.

   But,  NCP official Obeid said the ruling party is simply upholding the
   provisions of the CPA.

   âActually,  (free speech) is allowed according to the constitution and
   according  to  law  but, according to the CPA, there is nothing called
   absolute  freedom  whenever you exceed the limit of freedom which will
   harm the people of Sudan and the unity of Sudan,â Obeid said.

   He  further  said  that the government will soon launch âa very strong
   campaignâ  with  the sole aim of achieving unity between the north and
   the south in the upcoming referendum.

.