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Sudan's Bashir says to quit power if not re-elected president

Xinhua, February 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday said he would not quit power until the Sudanese people ask him to leave by not voting for him in the upcoming elections.

Al-Bashir, candidate of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), on Thursday launched his electoral campaign from Medani in Gezira State, running for his third term of office.

Thousands of supporters of al-Bashir and the ruling party gathered at a big square in Medani city, carrying banners in support for al-Bashir.

"Those who are staying in conditioned rooms and talking about handing over of power should come and address the simple farmers and workers and convince them with their programs, and if the people select him, we will salute them and hand over them the power," said al-Bashir when addressing the gathering.

"For those abroad and inside, who are campaigning to move us from power, I tell them I will leave if the people refuse to vote for me," he noted, referring to a recent campaign by some opposition forces under the motto "leave" to persuade the citizens to boycott the coming elections.

Al-Bashir renewed his call for national dialogue, saying that "we are still calling on the opposition and arms carriers to put their demands on the table of negotiation and respect the opinion of the majority. This is the democracy."

He further vowed to achieve comprehensive reform in all institutions of the country and concern with the economic situation with the focus on upgrading the agricultural sector as an important economic resource.

Campaigning for Sudan's presidential and legislative polls kicked off on Tuesday with the participation of 44 political parties and 16 presidential candidates.

The presidential and legislative polls are scheduled for early April, but some Sudanese political opposition parties previously demanded that the elections be postponed and a transitional government be formed to resolve what they said a crisis in the country.

In 2010, the first multi-party elections in almost 24 years were held in Sudan, in which the ruling NCP, led al-Bashir, made a victory.

April's elections will be the ninth of its kind in the country, which will be monitored by a number of Sudanese and foreign organizations. Endit