Sudan supports Doha deal

Caption Khartoum - Abed Algayom Ashmeag    In a step to save the Doha agreement which was signed between the Government of the Republic of Sudan (GoS) and the Justice and Liberation Movement (JLM), Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir issued on Sunday a Republican Decree appointing, Bahar Idris Abu Garda, the Secretary General of (JLM), as the Minister of Health. Abu Garda’s appointment was a surprise move, as he is a controversial figure. He left the armed Justice and Equality Movement and didn’t refuse to appear before the International Criminal Court on charges of planning attacks targeted members of "UNAMID" in South Darfur, but was later acquitted. After Abu Grada was sworn-in before President Omar Al-Bashir, ‘Arabstoday’ met him: About the conditions of his appointment in ministry of health, Abu Garda said this appointment was a step in the government’s commitment of the Doha agreement. For his priorities as Minister of Health, he refused to talk about his plan at this time, and preferred to study the ministry’s situation first before deciding what his priorities would be. Abu Garda commented on what was reported about the disagreement between the government and the Justice and Liberation Movement over his appointment, saying “what was reported by the media in this issue was not correct, there was no disagreement between them.” He also pointed out that President Al-Bashir asked him to focus on health insurance, as it’s the most important way to provide health services to the middle classes. Moreover, Abu Grada vowed to do his best to improve the health situation in Sudan, referring to the difficult situation in the health ministry now, which requires a doubling of efforts. He also admitted that this appointment is a big challenge for him, assuring that he is very optimistic about it. About the situation in Darfur, which includes camps, and displaced people and refugees, Abu Garda said he knows very well how they are suffering, assuring that the future will be better for them. He also explained that the Doha agreement includes terms to solve Darfur’s problems, whether in health sector or any other sectors, assuring that the government has started to find solutions to Darfur crisis. In concluding his interview with “Arabstoday” the Secretary General of Justice and Liberation Movement pointed out the need for more cooperation amongst all teams involved in Sudan’s rebuilding efforts.