From L to R: Deputy leader of Sudan's Democratic Unionist Party, Ali Mahmud Hassanein, the leader of the Umma party, former prime minister Sadek el-Mahdi, Southern Sudanese regional president Salva Kiir (L) and Islamist opposition figure Hassan al-Turabi share a light moment after the conclusion of a conference of opposition political parties in Juba, the capital of semi-autonomous South Sudan, on September 30, 2009. Around 20 Sudanese political parties threatened to boycott next year's elections, the first in more than two decades, unless President Omar al-Beshir implements reforms. AFP PHOTO/ASHRAF SHAZLY (Photo credit should read ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images)