Sudan constitution: ‘engage all, respect diversity’ experts say

Sudan’s upcoming constitution should “engage all citizens and demand the respect for diversity”, experts and analysts say. They also raised attention to the dangerous growth of racism and tribalism in the country. According to them, Sudan is going through “very complicated circumstances, wars and political tension in a number of states”. Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh, editor of Alay Ayam daily newspaper, told Radio Dabanga on Thursday that Sudan has emerged from a “bitter experience” after the secession of the south. In addition, the country is undergoing “extremely complicated conditions” at the moment, which include ongoing civil wars in seven of its states. The editor demanded that media outlets, currently under control of the government, should be ran by different parties and he stressed the need that the opinions of citizens be heard. “It is obvious that the refusal of governments to listen to others’ point of view led to civil wars that have lasted for nearly 60 years in which the blood of the people of Sudan has been shed”, he was quoted as saying. He is calling “everyone” to join the process of writing a new Sudanese constitution, adding it could function as a mechanism for national reconciliation as “the increase of feuds, tribalism and racism is a big mistake”. With regards to the involvement of displaced people in writing the constitution, he affirmed meeting several of them who are ready to contribute to it.Photo: Khartoum