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Al-Bashir: ‘Sudan will not collapse; we are ready to hand power over to youth’

January 10, 2019 at 12:45 am

Sudanese protesters attend an anti-government demonstration in the capital Khartoum on 6 January 2018 [Stringer/Anadolu Agency]

Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir called on the youth of Sudan on Wednesday to unite and organise themselves, expressing his readiness to hand power over to them.

This came in a speech he delivered during a mass rally, under the heading: Stand up for peace and validation, in the Green Square in the capital Khartoum. The public meeting witnessed the participation of thousands in response to an invitation from the national dialogue parties, including the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

“I want to deliver a message to young people. Be united and prepare yourselves. We are ready to hand power over to you,” he declared.

He reiterated that those who want power should take the electoral path and wait for the 2020 elections.

Al-Bashir talked again about Sudan’s exposure to conspiracies during the past period. He stated: “To those who conspired against Sudan and want to enslave us with a few dollars, a handful of wheat, and impose simple conditions to solve our problems, we say that the dignity of Sudan is more valuable than your dollars,” without providing further details.

Read: Sudan’s Bashir vows to stay in power as protests rage nearby

He added: “I deliver a message to everyone who thinks that Sudan will collapse. Sudan will not fall like other countries.”

“There is a conspiracy against Sudan, and we will live and die standing,” Al-Bashir affirmed.

The 23 days of protests in Sudan, during which Sudanese protestors condemned the poor living conditions, have witnessed acts of violence and vandalism. The Sudanese president commented on the ongoing demonstrations saying: “Whoever vandalises and burns public properties will be held accountable for his actions” (meaning that he will not let the vandals get away with their crimes).

He stressed that his government will protect the people and public properties, and will not be let vandals have their way.

He added: “We thank the Sudanese army for securing the country, and the police as well as security forces for stopping anarchists.”

Sudan has been witnessing protests since 19 December in several cities, including Khartoum, condemning the deterioration of living conditions. Some of the Sudanese cities have undergone violent riots, which resulted in the death of 19 people, according to the government. However, Amnesty International insists that the number of casualties is 37.

On 31 December, the Sudanese President issued a governmental decision to form a fact-finding committee, headed by Justice Minister Mohammed Ahmed Salem, to investigate the recent events in the country.