Sudanese NPC official hits out at SPLM

A leading member of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has said one year-old South Sudan is not yet ready to be a sovereign state. "The secession of the south from the north last year did not achieve the objectives of any of its supporters, or aspirations that Sudan would stabilise," said Kotb Mahdi. "The achievement of common relations will be done only if the deteriorating conditions in South Sudan leads to a revolution against the rampant corruption, famine and poverty to overthrow the ruling party in South Sudan.” He added: “The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) party is an enemy to whom we handed over the South, according to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between them in 2005.” Kotb said in statements about the situation in the two countries, a year after separation:  "The result is a very great loss to both parties. We were a big country and could have had a diversified economy, and strong national security that enhances our prestige, both regionally and internationally... Moreover, Sudan has lost what it has been proud of; a country that represents a crossroads for the African agreements, and a harmonious region for Africa." He claimed that South Sudan was handed over to a "subversive uncooperative agent driven by a foreign agenda". "South Sudan is not prepared to be a state as its people and its character have not matured enough to be an independent country as it does not have the necessary ingredients...the ruling government is a failure," he added. He believed  that those who thought that the separation would bring peace, or at least would make Sudan a safe country, were wrong, but that South Sudan's secession had spurred separatist movement sin the rest of the country. "It is clear that there will be no peace if the movement continues to host the enemies of Sudan in South Sudan," he said Kotb continued: "The future could hold many surprises, and we can consider the economic separation’s benefits as we can rely on other resources, and invest properly." He said that South Sudan was "controlled by Zionists and the West". "The next change will provide a belief among the southerners the importance of peace with the north, and cooperation between the two countries," he said, adding: "This will be the only option for southerners and northerners. This agenda will impose itself." In response to a question about Abyei, a region disputed between both countries, he said: "There is one party representing the popular movement of Abyei, and the SPLM want to drag the entire south into a confrontation with the north, although Abyei does not represent a big issue for the Southerners with the North." He concluded: "What is happening now is provocation because they fear that there will be stability in the relations between the two countries, as it shall lead them to lose their positions in South Sudan."