The major features of modem democracy include maintenance of individual freedoms, namely freedom of speech, assembly and association. To be achieved through the ballot, political liberty and freedoms that tolerate diversity of opinion must accompany pluralistic democracy. It is easy to claim that a state or an institution is democratic. Too often in such situations, however, one man, one party, group or sect, rule in the name of the people without allowing popular participation. For participation to be an effective method or a feasible ideal, political liberty and equality must accompany it.
Democracy also represents the ideal of justice.
The ideal of justice and the practice of democracy became inseparable. SAF has noted serious flaws in the organizational structures and practices of deliberative assemblies in the Sudan, whether they were legislative, executive or civic. Sufficient evidence has been offered to indicate that much is needed to realize the democratic principles that will make these institutions viable. SAF does not intend to replace the apparently malfunctioning democracy with any system of its own creation. SAF intends to reinstate a functioning democracy.