Sudanese president says new constitution to be formulated

English.news.cn 2011-06-03

KHARTOUM, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday announced that a new constitution for Sudan would be formulated after official separation of south Sudan on July 9, and that the new constitution would be presented for a popular referendum to approve.

"We will work to formulate a new constitution for Sudan and we are working to involve all the Sudanese political forces in formulating it. The document of the constitution will be presented for a popular referendum to approve," said al-Bashir when addressing a meeting of the Shura (consultation) Council of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) here Thursday.

He expressed the NCP's willingness to expand the base of participation in the government and involve all the Sudanese political parties, saying that "we will work to form a broad-based government. We maintain dialogue with all the political forces."

"We are ready to avail the opportunity for participation to all the political parties and organizations which are willing to participate. We will not exclude any party," he added.

Al-Bashir's announcement of formulation of a new constitution came contrary to the NCP previous position when the party insisted to amend the current constitution, which was rejected by the opposition.

Viewpoints of the opposition parties varied regarding the dialogue with the Sudanese government to participate in the broad- based government which was called for by the Sudanese president.

The Sudanese political parties and organizations authority has earlier demanded the government to restructure the constitutional revision commission and involve all the political forces in the task of formulating a new constitution for the country.

The NCP earlier said the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir would not run again in presidential elections, within a package of reforms to institute for democracy in the country.

According to the current constitution, the coming presidential elections are scheduled to be conducted in four years.

Al-Bashir, 67, who assumed power in Sudan in 1989, has achieved a sweeping victory in the recent general elections, held in 2010, which was boycotted by many opposition parties.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

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