苏丹前总理马赫迪将参加总统选举

Former Sudanese Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi has announced he will stand against current leader Omar al-Bashir in a forthcoming presidential election.

苏丹前总理萨迪克·马赫迪宣布，他将在即将到来的总统选举中对阵现任领导奥巴尔·巴希尔。

Sadiq al-Mahdi said he wanted to solve Darfur's problems

Mr Mahdi was elected in Sudan's last multi-party vote in 1986, but was overthrown打倒，推翻 by Mr Bashir in a 1989 coup政变.

The BBC's James Copnall, in Khartoum喀土穆, says Mr Mahdi's presence gives real legitimacy正统合法 to April's election.

The polls are part of a 2005 peace deal that ended a two-decade civil war between north and south Sudan.

Our correspondent says many of the other major figures in Sudanese politics have opted选择 not to challenge President Bashir.

In announcing his candidacy候选资格, Mr Sadiq referred to his ousting剥夺，取代 by Mr Bashir in a bloodless coup.

"I have not been fired by the people, I have been fired by the guns," he said.

"Now it is possible for the people to reinstate恢复，复原 whom they believe represents their interest, represents aspirations愿望."

He also raised the possibility of ending the troubles in the Darfur region - where thousands of black Africans have been killed by Arab militias民兵，国民军.

"Darfur can be resolved if there is sufficient足够的，充分的 political will, if there is sufficient political leadership," the 74-year-old said.

Mr Bashir, who is widely expected to win the election, is wanted on an international arrest warrant通缉令 for war crimes in Darfur.

His government denies accusations控告，指责 that it is backing the militias who have carried out mass murder.