(Mirayafm)
Harassment and intimidation toward opposition parties in southern Sudan have cast a dark shadow over a decree that guarantees freedom for all political parties to conduct activities. As campaigning begins for April’s general elections, southern based political parties frustrated by physical threats and force, have demanded more security from the National Elections Commission (NEC). The parties are indignant at how county commissioners blatantly turned a blind eye to a decree guaranteeing freedom to all political parties, issued by the President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS).
Chairperson of Southern Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF), Martin Elia, told Miraya FM that his party will boycott the forthcoming elections if security is not provided to SSDF members involved in campaigning.
He has demanded for a South-South dialogue to discuss how opposing political parties can safely campaign in secure environments, insisted that the NEC provide police protection for opposition party members and the cancellation of April’s elections until a conducive atmosphere for democratic elections is apparent.
Elia further warned that southern Sudan could become "like Somalia if the military mentality persists".
Chairperson of the United Democratic Front (UDF), Peter Abdelrahman Sule, who has had party rallies in southern States forcefully broken up by county commissioners, said the excuses given to justify terminating on-site UDF rallies and campigns were "filmsy".
The UDF Chairperson said, on November 19th 2009, 7 UDF members were arrested in Udichi in Western Bahr El Ghazal State by county officials, members of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), who raided an UDF rally on the pretext that "militias" were present. Sule added he is curious know why only innocent UDF members were arrested and not armed "militias"; supposedly on-site at the rally.
Sule disclosed that UDF members have been arrested in Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
Member of the National Congress party (NCP) Juma Saeed, told Miraya FM that all political parties should have the chance to participate freely in the forthcoming elections.
Miraya FM could not reach SPLM officials to comment on the opposition parties' allegations.