Sudan: Unprecedented TV political debate
Sudan, Politics, 4/23/1998

In a remarkable shift in the Sudanese government's information strategy, government-run Sudan TV yesterday broadcast a live political debate between Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin, minister of culture and information, and one of the most influential decision makers of the National Islamic Front (NIF), which backs General Omar al-Bashir's government, and Professor Adlan al-Hardallu, a prominent Sudanese scholar, one of the secularist leaders of April 1985 popular uprising that brought General Numeir's 16-year dictatorial regime to an end, and a well-known opponent of the present government.

During the open debate Professor Hardallu, who identifies himself with the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), chastised General Bashir's regime, accusing it of being self contradictory in dealing with fundamental national issues such as federal government and granting the right of self-determination to the predominantly animist and Christian south.

He went further to accuse the Sudanese Islamic movement (another name for the NIF) of opportunism and lack of principles. Professor Hardallu criticized the government for signing a peace agreement with the Southern Sudan Independent Movement (SSIM) led by Dr. Riak Machar, stating that the SSIM is comprised mainly of separatist southerners who are known for their strong predisposition towards secession.

For his part Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin, the government official spokesman, argued during the TV debate that the government has done its best to pursue peace and stability for the country, accusing Sudan's People's Liberation Army (SPLA) led by colonel John Garang of being hostage to foreign forces who are interested in enhancing their own agenda at the expense of the Sudanese people.

The government's acceptance to grant the south the right for self determination should not be viewed as a back-off from its declared principles; rather, said Salahuddin, it is a quite clear and significant indicator of the government's flexibility and willingness to go to the end of the road in order to bring the civil war to a conclusion. However, the Sudanese official made it clear that Sharia Islamic laws are a different matter as he said it is not a political issue that could be negotiated, but a fundamental religious obligation which no true Moslem can compromise.

Salahuddin also lashed out at the United States who, he said, does not shy away from exploiting the United Nations as a means for imposing its hegemony on developing countries.

The unprecedented debate is said to have sparked a wide-ranging discussion between government supporters and opponents over which of the two sides was more capable of driving its points home. It is the first time since General Bashir assumed power in 1989 in a military coup that such an uncensored debate has been carried out and a well-known opposition figure has been allowed to openly and publicly air his views on television.

The new development seems to indicate a new trend in the official information policy, a trend that carries the fingerprints of Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin who few weeks ago was entrusted, in a cabinet reshuffle, with the culture and information portfolio, a position which places him in full control of the media.

The Sudanese government repeatedly expressed its willingness to engage in a political dialogue with the opposition National Democratic Alliance with the objective of achieving a national reconciliation that might pave the way for a smooth political transformation of the present regime into a fully democratic one.

Opposition leaders, though they agree to the principle of national dialogue and reconciliation, tend to be skeptical about the regime's seriousness with regard to reinstating a multi-party system.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian - Sudanese talks   (4/22/1998)
  Northern Sudan also faces food shortages   (4/22/1998)
  Sudan postpones referendum on constitution   (4/20/1998)

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