Sudan firm on sharia

2002-11-17 12:33

Khartoum - President Omar al-Beshir vowed on Saturday never to compromise on Islamic Sharia law, a major factor in Sudan's long-running civil war, and that the capital Khartoum will never become a secular city.

"We pledge to the Popular Defence, to our martyrs and their wives that the Sharia banner will remain high and there will never be any compromise on it and we will continue on Sharia path," General Beshir told a rally marking the 13th anniversary of the creation of the Popular Defence Forces (PDF).

"Some people began to talk about the government relinquishing Islamic Sharia and about Khartoum as a secular capital where bars would be reopened, we only ask anyone of them to try and lick his elbow," he said, implying it would be impossible.

Beshir has lately called for political reconciliation and an end to the 19-year civil war between successive Arab and Muslim governments in the north and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in the south.

Northern opposition groups joined in against the government in 1995.

The government and SPLA reached a breakthrough agreement mapping a road to peace during negotiations in Kenya on July 20, but there have been numerous flare-ups of fighting on the southern and eastern fronts since then.

The SPLA has reportedly also demanded at the peace talks the government restore Khartoum's secular status.

The conflict has claimed at least half a million lives and displaced well more than four million people. - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA