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The Issue of the

Constitution

in the

Sudan and Libya

The recent dramatic and momentous events in the Sudan have shown that the monopoly of power by the military dictators are neither popularly desirable nor necessary and that the longing for a civilian constitutional rule which acquires its legitimacy through the ballot box is deeply felt and manifested among the people.

These recent events in the Sudan vindicated the Libyan Constitutional Union’s approach to the Libyan case and made us more resolute in pursuing what we have been saying. For the Sudanese people succeeded in forcing the military to take heed of their demands and concede to their wishes. This gave credence to our point of view. And added substance to our firm belief that the vicious circle of a coup d'etat following another can be and has to be broken in order for any meaningful change to take place.

The passionate and enthusiastic demand for a change through a civilian government working under the Sudanese Constitutional framework of 1964 is similar to our call for the upholding of the Libyan Constitution. Both

Constitutions earned their legitimacy through the approval and the desire of the people. Therefore, one should not be surprised if this mass and tumultuous cry of the Sudanese people for Constitutionality, legality and legitimacy will be echoed in neighbouring Libya, as it is becoming increasingly realised that Constitutional change can happen only through Constitutional means.

Finally, the Libyan Constitutional Union would like to express its sincere and warm wishes for the Sudanese people to achieve more successes in their struggle for democracy, justice and freedom.

Issued by the Libyan Constitutional Union

The Guardian:  19 April 1985

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