(SV)

Awiel town, north Bahr Al-Ghazal state, represents a symbol of a unified Sudan for its population and tribal interrelation. It is the melting pot of all Sudanese.

This town brought back 20-years memories to the President of the Republic, Field Marshal Omar Al-Bashir, when he was an officer in the army before the National Salvation Revolution broke out. 

The residents of Awiel town came out to receive President Al Bashir within the framework of the electoral campaign for Al Bashir's candidacy being staged by the National Board on Al-Bashir's candidacy for presidency in the general elections scheduled for April 2010. Such a turn- out by local residents brought back floods of memories to president Al Bashir.

Al Bashir is no a stranger to the town. He has known the local inhabitants who have known him for decades the reason why he was feted by tens of thousands who lined up at Awiel Airport awaiting his arrival in last Monday morning. Al Bashir posed arrayed in African traditional clothes.

Driving in a pickup, He waved to the supporters as they cheered in support to candidacy for Presidency. The National Board headed by Field Marshal Thuwar Addahab had achieved the goal it was seeking. 

After he landed at Awiel Airport, National Congress Party's female leader, Najwa Muddawi arrayed Al Bashir in a sultans' uniform and gave him two pigeons in appreciations for his efforts to achieve peace across Sudan. The pigeons flew in the skies of Awiel town.

The congregation at the Airport marched to the Freedom Square at the heart of the town. Nobody had expected that the people of Awil have such love and appreciation for Al Bashir. Hundreds of thousands were raising Sudan's national flag in an unprecedented scene. Even the supporters of rival parties cheered Al-Bashir demanding him to stay the course. 

Speakers at the gathering told the masses the reason of gathering there. The national Board on Al Bashir's candidacy in Bahr Al-Ghazal said the congregation had turned out to show that peace march would continue and that AlBashir was the best to lead the march. 

The head of National Congress in Bahr Al-Ghazal briefed the congregation on efforts exerted during the term of President Al Bashir; efforts made by the National Congress over the past two decades, noting arrangements for mobilizing grassroots to get them involved actively in the approaching elections. 

Women were also present at this campaign as their significant role in electoral process. Teresa Siricio, State Minister at the Ministry of Environment, affirmed that Sudanese people had better choose Al-Bashir for the Presidency of the Republic, and Salva Kiir for South Sudan Government to ensure implementation of the agreement. She indicated gains achieved after signing peace agreement in south Sudan. 

Bona Malwal, Presidential Advisor, deputy head of the National Board of Al Bashir's candidacy, who addressed the masses in the language they understand including Arab tribes which have lived there for decades, argued that Sudanese people had better elect Al Bashir president of the republic and Salva Kiir president of south Sudan. 

Al Bashir said the unity he is calling for was not an electoral propaganda but stemmed from a conviction that Sudan is a united country and it is natural that people remain united. 

Al Bashir stated his electoral platform, pledging that he will maintain the course of construction and acknowledged that Bahr Al-Ghazal is crying for clean water, education and health service. Al-Bashir pledged to see to it that University of Bahr Al-Ghazal is finalized.