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------Original message------ From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> To: "Group" <[email protected]> Date: Sunday, February 3, 2013 12:52:49 PM GMT-0500 Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] Plans to Topple Sudan Regime Gain Momentum 1. Plans to Topple Sudan Govt Gain Momentum February 2, 2013 Source: Radio Dabanga (Hilversum) Kampala — Yousef al-Koda, leader of the Islamic Wasat (Central) Party, signed the New Dawn charter in Kampala, joining rebel groups and other political parties who had previously endorsed the document. Malik Agar, head of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and al-Koda released a joint statement on Thursday confirming the information from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, where the charter was signed. “New Dawn” calls for overthrowing the regime through “political and armed struggle”. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of a united Sudan and the freedom of expression and religion. Rule of law, an independent judicial system, a peaceful transfer of power, democracy and a federal system are additional matters the document calls for. Signatories also want to provide citizenship for everyone, and eradicate segregation and discrimination based on different religious or ethnic backgrounds via the charter. Other issues have not yet been completely agreed upon, which are requiring further discussion between the signatory parties. They include more dialogue between all political parties in Sudan, and most importantly, the future ruling system in the country including the connection between religion and state. The issues above should be decided during a “constitutional conference” that is yet to be scheduled, the joint statement read. al-Koda affirmed to Radio Dabanga he went to Kampala following the invitation of New Dawn signatory parties “with an open mind and an open heart, wishing to join the charter”. On his turn, Agar told Radio Dabanga al-Koda is “a real addition to the New Dawn Charter”, which he described as “a serious attempt to find answers about all Sudanese issues”. He further said the document will provide a platform for signatory parties to find common ground and reach consensus on a series of matters about Sudan. The SRF head emphasized the charter is still open for negotiations, adding that even those who did not yet endorsed it are welcome to join the talks. Agar stressed this will hopefully pave the way for all people of Sudan to be “on the same page” when it comes to the future of the country. http://atlantablackstar.com/2013/02/02/plans-to-topple-sudan-govt-gain-momentum/ END1 2. New Dawn signatories no longer Muslims, Islamic body in Sudan rules February 1, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Scholar Council (SSC) issued a ruling today stating that those who signed and endorsed the New Dawn charter are now outside the religion of Islam. The Secretary General of the SSC Mohamed Osman Saleh Al-Amin told Sudan official news agency (SUNA) that the document calls for separating religion and the state which contravenes Islamic principles. Al-Amin said that anyone who does not hold a favorable view to applying Islamic rule or supports separating religion and the state has committed a taboo. He referenced a verse in the Holy Quran which reads "And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the disbelievers". SSC is an informal body comprised of eminent Sudanese Islamic scholars but its views are not binding to the government. Some of its critics assert that it issues opinions that are favorable to the government while turning a blind eye to issues such as corruption, violations of human rights and repression. The charter signed in Uganda this month calls for overthrowing the regime dominated by the National Congress Party (NCP), restructuring the state institutions and preventing the exploitation of religion in politics. There was disagreement however on means to oust the government between the opposition parties and the rebel groups. Khartoum interpreted the last clause to mean a call for establishing a secular state and has launched a fierce media campaign against it. Some senior Sudanese officials went as far as threatening to outlaw and ban the opposition parties which signed it unless they dissociate themselves from it. Some of its signatories including the National Umma Party (NUP), Popular Congress Party (PCP) and Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) later distanced themselves from the charter saying they were rushed into it and expressed reservations on some of its clauses. Despite this the head of Al-Wasat Islamic party Youssef al-Koda signed the charter in Kampala and issued a joint statement with Malik Agar who chairs the Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) . Al-Koda denounced what he described as NCP’s corruption and exploiting religion to cling to power. (ST) http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article45371 END2 ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan, South Sudan Advisor [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +211 919 695 362 (South Sudan mobile) +27 82 050 1235 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, John Ashworth is not the author of the content and the source is always cited. 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