In coming April, there will be up to six elections in Sudan: National presidential and parliamentary, the South Sudanese presidency, state governors, the South's parliament and state assemblies.

Well, you can post anything to do with any of those polls here......thanks :)

Somewhat helpful...

Sudan elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term by the people. Elections for the unicameral, 360-member National Assembly was last held in December 2000.

The country is currently in an interim (transitional) period following the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on 9 January 2005 that officially ended the civil war between the Sudanese Government (based in Khartoum) and the southern-based Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) rebel group.

The newly formed National Legislature, whose members were chosen in mid-2005, has two chambers. The National Assembly (Majlis Watani) consists of 450 appointed members who represent the government, former rebels, and other opposition political parties. The Council of States (Majlis Welayat) has 50 members who are indirectly elected by state legislatures. All members of the National Legislature serve six-year terms.

(Wiki)

Sudanese general election, 2010

Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Sudan from 11 April to 13 April 2010[1][2] to elect the President of Sudan and the National Assembly of Sudan. The election brings to the end the transitional period which began when the decades-long Second Sudanese Civil War ended in 2005.

The elections were to be held in Sudan from March to April 2009, and there were reports that they may be delayed up to six months from the latest possible date of July 2009 due to problems with the preparation of the vote.[3] However, on 2 April 2009, the electoral commission pushed the date back to 6 February to 21 February 2010[4] and results were to be declared on 27 February 2010.[5]. The elections will entail: national presidential and parliamentary, the south Sudanese presidency, state governors, the southern parliament and state assemblies. The voting will be early in the month so results may be fielded late in the month. The electoral commission released the date after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Bashir on 4 March 2009.

Date

On 11 June 2009, it was rumoured that the elections might be delayed for a short time once more.[6] This was immediately rejected by the government.[7] However, is was announced on 30 June 2009 that the election would be postponed until 5 April to 12 April 2010 after problems with the national census. The census results were expected early April 2009 but were not released until mid-May 2009; upon its release, the SPLM contested that Southern Sudan are a third of Sudan's total population while the census stated a much smaller number.[8] It is unknown if the Darfurian amalgamation referendum, due to take place in July 2010, will be pulled back to match the general election.

Census

A census, which is necessary for the election to be held, was initially planned to be held in July 2007, then from 15 November 2007 onwards, then delayed to be held from 2 February 2008 onwards due to funding issues.[9] It was again postponed to 15–30 April 2008.[10][11] On 12 April 2008, a few days before the census was slated to start, the SPLM withdrew from the census, stating that they wanted IDPs to return to their homes before the census would take place; this calls the timetable for the 2009 elections into question.[12] However, it was agreed on 14 April 2008 to start the census on 22 April 2008 instead.[13] It was finished by 6 May 2008 (with about 90% of the country covered by then; many people claimed, however, not to have been counted, but officials stated that in no state was the covering rate below 80%[14]) and results are expected in September.[15] Preliminary results released in early July claimed a population of about 38 million, with the most populated states being Khartoum with 6.5 million and Al Jazirah with 4.2 million; South Sudan had 3.8 million residents according to the census, which is strongly contradicted by estimates which put the population of South Sudan at least 11 million residents.[16] The full results of the census were to be released in February 2009.[17] The total population of Sudan was given as 39 million by the census, with (according to unofficial reports only) Khartoum having 5 million, Darfur 7.5 million and South Sudan 8.2 million. South Sudan had indicated it might boycott the election if the census gave them substantially fewer than the 11–13 million inhabitants they estimate to have.[18]

Electoral Law

The draft bill on the electoral law was being discussed in February 2008; differences remained over the proportion between FPTP seats and proportional seats, over the amount of seats reserved for women, and over how many votes smaller parties would have to win in order to gain entry into parliament.[19] The SPLM wants 50% proportionally elected and 50% therough FPTP, and it wants women to be given 50% of the proportional seats; the Sudanese government wants only 40% to be proportionally elected and wants a separate list of women-only seats, of which all would be given to the list with the most votes.[20] The election law was passed on 8 July 2008.[21] 60% of seats will be chosen in constituencies, and 40% (split 25% women to 15% general seats) by proportional representation; the proportional seats have an electoral threshold of 4%, candidates for presidential elections require 200 endorsements from 18 of Sudan's 25 states, citizens have to be over 18 years to vote and over 40 years and without a criminal record to stand in the election.[22]

The border constituency report was completed by the National Elections Committee in November, 2009. Some state politicians have appealed the report and their concerns have been printed in a report published on the National Elections Committee website. Despite these objections, it is likely that the constituency borders will remain.[23]

More from Wiki.....

if we had a moderator we could have made this thread a sticky

سير سير يالبشير
Albasher all the way :banana:
http://www.psp.org.lb/Portals/0/Ahdab/Sudan-Bashir.jpg

im just wondering, what are the minimum requirements in sudanese law for someone running for president?

^^ One has to meet the signature and registration requirements outlined in the electoral law. For example, a candidate is required to collect 15,000 signatures in 18 of the 25 states in the country.

What happens if Yasir Arman (SPLM) wins the presidential polls and then the south votes for secession?

There are about 12 candidates running for national presidency:


Abdel-Aziz Khalid (Sudan Alliance Forces)

Abdullah Deng Nhial (Popular Congress Party)

Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi (Umma Party)

Ahmed Goha (Independent)

Fatima Abdel-Mahmood (Socialist Democratic Union)

Hatem Al-Sir (Democratic Unionist Party)

Kamil Al-Tayib Idriss (Independent)

Mohamed Ibrahim Nugud (Sudanese Communist Party)

Mubarak Al-Fadil (Umma Reform and Renewal Party)

Munir Sheik Al-Deen (New National Democratic Party)

Omar Hassan al-Beshir (National Congress Party)

Yasir Arman (Sudan People Liberation Movement)


While, South Sudan presidency is being contested by:


Salva Kiir Maryardit (Sudan People's Liberation Movement)

Lam Akol Ajawin (Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Democratic Change)

What happens if Yasir Arman (SPLM) wins the presidential polls and then the south votes for secession?

There will still be SPLM in the north.....and he will continue to be its leader. So, secession wouldn't affect his presidency....if elected.

^^ One has to meet the signature and registration requirements outlined in the electoral law. For example, a candidate is required to collect 15,000 signatures in 18 of the 25 states in the country.

i mean like citizenship issues. like in the united states where you have to have been born in the united states and lived there for a specific time.

^^ According to chapter 6 of the Election Law (Candidacy, Withdrawing Candidacy, and Appeals) section 1, when running for the Posts of President, President of Southern Sudan, and Governor.....The candidate must be Sudanese by birth, sound minded, not less than 40 years of age, literate, and not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. The article authorises the National Elections Commission to ask for any proof it deems necessary.

Kiir Launches Campaign for GoSS Presidency

The SPLM candidate for the presidency of the Government of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit officially launched his campaigns yesterday in the semi-autonomous region’s capital Juba.

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Juba residents accompany Salva Kiir to the Dr Garang Mausoleum to launch his campaigns. [© Gurtong]By Juma John Stephen

JUBA, 25 February 2010 (Gurtong) – The ceremony that culminated into a gathering at Dr John Garang Mausoleum started with a huge procession from Juba stadium where a mammoth crowd accompanied Kiir, who is also the incumbent head of South Sudan’s government.

Kiir said he is working with the SPLM vision and mission to bring peace, freedom, development and prosperity, adding that he is committed to encouraging reconciliation among the people.

“The SPLM and I are committed and we are ready for South Sudan dialogue which we started in Kenya. I want to call upon the SPLM and the people to reach out to ourselves to reconcile”, he said.

He said his government is committed to development of South Sudan and said a number of tractors have been bought by the government to boost agricultural production.

“Farmers who organise themselves in groups will be given the tractors to assist them in tilling their land”, he announced.

He urged chiefs to continue guiding the people not to abandon their traditional values they fought for and pledged government support.

He said the constitution of South Sudan will continue to ensure that women are well represented at all levels of government, adding that women are the most marginalised group.

“If you vote for me we shall work on this and maybe we shall give women 30 percent affirmative allocation instead of 25 percent. To implement this we must ensure equal opportunity for girls and boys because if girls do not get education they will not even get 1 percent The freedom that we will give women is education so that women are not looked at as property”, he told the crowd.

He called for peaceful campaigns and urged political parties to keep off violence in the run up to the historic elections.

“I commend the political parties in South Sudan for directly or indirectly voting for me by not presenting a presidential candidate to challenge me. I want to assure all the political party leaders in South Sudan that the government will cooperate with them in all areas”, said Kiir.

He pledged to heighten the fight against corruption if elected, saying that all government officials who have been implicated in graft in the past will be prosecuted.

He announced that his current deputy Dr Riek Machar will remain in his position should the party emerge victorious in the polls and called for the people’s support.

“I feel honoured to be among the SPLM founding members who have survived up to this moment and I am working with the South Sudan army with my whole heart and promise to remain faithful under the guidance of the vision and mission of the SPLM”, said Kiir.

No rescheduling for elections, Sudan president says

February 25, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president and head of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Omer Hassan Al-Bashir emphasized today that elections will be held on time despite mounting calls by opposition groups that they be postponed.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4396/69078999.jpg

Bashir, who was speaking at a rally of the female members of the Umma Party for Reform and Development (URRD) in Omdurman, said that the Sudanese people have the right to choose its representative through the polls.

He said that the western region of Darfur is now secure and stable which eliminates any justification for postponing the elections, noting that the 1986 polls were not delayed due to the war in the South.

The president’s remarks puts cold shower on demands by Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) chief Khalil Ibrahim to push the elections forward so that Darfur can participate fully.

On Tuesday, the powerful rebel group signed a framework agreement with the Sudanese government in Qatar that provides for a temporary ceasefire between the two sides among other things.

At a press conference in Doha, JEM leader said that most people in Darfur and Kordofan are displaced with no interest to take part in elections. He said that there needs to be time for peace to be realized and refugees can return home after which participation in elections can be evaluated.

Ibrahim stressed that holding the general elections in April will exclude 4 million people making it meaningless for the Darfur population.

On Wednesday, the Islamist opposition figure and leader of the Popular Congress Party (PCP) Hassan Al-Turabi called for the formation of an interim government even if headed by Bashir to prepare the country for the polls.

Turabi added that should a final peace agreement be signed in Darfur then that necessarily requires elections be delayed else it wouldn’t be right to have a political system that does not the people of that region.

Earlier this week the former Prime Minister Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi and head of the Umma party said that it is preferable to push elections in order to give time for peace to be achieved in Darfur.

National Elections Committee (NEC) officials have so far given no indication that they are open to rescheduling.

Observers say that if elections are delayed then the earliest they can be held is in November following the rainy season in large parts of Sudan. However any such move will cast doubts over the 2011 self determination referendum in the South of the country.

The SPLM has vehemently refused any move to postpone the referendum process and many think tank groups fear a return to civil war should the self determination process be disrupted. However, many post-referendum issues have yet to be addressed particularly nationality, national debt, water agreement with the border demarcation process well behind schedule.

What happens if Yasir Arman (SPLM) wins the presidential polls and then the south votes for secession?

the results should and would probably be recalculated to exclude Southern votes

The South is going to secede any way but its ridiculous that the SPLM think they can elect a vassal of Juba for us before leaving.

http://smc.sd/news-details.html?rsnpid=13801

:cheers:

NCP launches electoral campaign in Jonglei capital

Saturday 27 February 2010

By Philip Thon Aleu

February 26, 2010 (BOR) – National Congress Party (NCP )officially launched his electoral campaign today in Bor town, the capital of Jonglei State. The NCP’s gubernatorial candidate, Joseph Duer, outlined the party’s manifesto in a gathering that attracted a huge group of expectants inhibiting one of southern Sudan undeveloped town.

Caretaker Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk, who is the SPLM candidate for governorship, blessed the opening ceremony where he assured NCP and other parties of freedom of assembly and protection during the election period.

In a brief speech before leaving the rally venue in the vicinity of Maror market, Mr. Kuol said democracy is the reason his party, the former rebels Movement, fought for decades so that power is given back to the people.

The NCP flag bearer for Jonglei Governorship, Joseph Duer said, if elected, what has not being done will be made a reality. Mr. Duer outlined investment in agriculture, education and health sectors among others as priorities; winning a tremendous applauds from the crowd.

Road construction and extension of town water network are some plans Mr. Duer seeks voters to favor NCP.

Flanked by NCP contenders for state, regional and national parliaments, Mr. Duer also spoken about the necessity to live in peace in Jonglei state where inter-tribal clashes claimed nearly 2,000 lives and displaced thousands others in 2009.

On 2011 referendum in the south for self determination, the NCP’s hopeful says the choice belongs to the people.

The NCP rally is the first major election gathering in Bor town though national campaigns for April polls officially kicked-off two weeks ago. Sudan people’s Liberation Movement is due to launch it campaign on Saturday February 27.

April polls are first inclusive elections in the south since independence in 1956 and part of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) signed between the NCP and the former southern rebel; the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in 2005.

(ST)

Bakosoro launches gubernatorial campaign, pledges security

Saturday 27 February 2010

February 26, 2010 (YAMBIO) — Western Equatoria Independent Candidate has launched his gubernatorial campaign with a speech in which he pledged to build a peaceful Western Equatoria.

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Photo of Col Joseph Bakosoro surrounded by truckloads of supporters - courtesy of Gift Friday (ST)

He began his official campaign with a pledge to end insecurity in Western Equatoria ravaged by LRA violence saying Western Equatoria farmers must return to their villages before cultivation period.

Col Bakosoro is considered by many to be the “beacon of hope candidate with a realistic chance of winning.

He, along with Jemma Nunu Kumba, the incumbent governor, is leading the race for the gubernatorial contest for the 2010 vote.

Bakosoro unveiled his election symbol as a cock which he said, cockcrows at dawn to awake people likewise he wants to awake people of WES to Security, Education, development, peace, Unity, Freedom and transparency which are the main issues in his manifesto.

A large crowd of supporters braved the afternoon temperatures in Yambio, Illinois to watch Col Bakosoro make his speech.

Church leaders of Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church in Sudan join the mammoth’s crowd.

He spoke to the crowd of his working life in the state over the last 20 years, first as a church choir, then as a military officer and finally as a Public Servant in a party which disowned him few days ago.

He said it was the lessons learnt watching the daily struggles many faced that had ignited in him a desire for change, "our man"

As he made the speech the crowd cheered and chanted his name.

Local observers in Western Equatoria estimated the crowd to be over 20,000 supporters who converged to hear from they waited for long to have a glimpse of him.

“This is the man, this is the people’s choice, this is our governor; his supporters shouted”

People were wondering why there was no sign of any campaign so far all over the state, some people believe that most of the candidates were busy doing ground work through their agents and that is exactly what took place today in Yambio.

Before the campaign could kick off, there was an order from the NEC that any independent candidate should not use the flag which up to now is called the SPLM flag.

Bakosoro had to go to the Yambio FM to apologize for using the flag while a senior SPLM member already went to state judge so that he issue an arrest warrant to rest Mr. Bakosoro. The state Government under orders of Jemma Nunu banned Col Bakosoro from using the Southern Sudan flag saying, "It is the symbol of SPLM party".

Bakosor’s supporters regretted the removal of the flags but the contender said he cannot keep them where they are.

Thousands of people turned up to see the man they have been waiting to see for so long. Old women, young girls, men of all ages walked all the way from Masiya to the freedom square and to Pazuo without being tired. More than 500 motorbikes, 30 cars and five 42 tone trucks took part in transporting people from various areas to the city centre.

Mr. Bakosoro thanked the traders for their contributions. He told the crowd who were in their thousands that as an independent candidate, he has no funds for his campaign and said the only funding is from his supporters who are mainly traders and even some government officials plus some individuals. He dismissed allegations that he is being funded by NCP or SPLM-DC.

Speaking to his supporters all the way from near by Nzara county, 15 miles, Li-Rangu Payam 12 Miles from Yambio town and small bomas around Yambio town, Bakosoro said “all people went, tried and have finally reached so now with them together, that is why I (he) has move from Juba as their call downplaying the threats of Political Bureau not to stand.

Bakosoro lamented that, he was born in church, grew in the church faith based family, and still a church person, with church characters for unity and love for the people.

Col Bakosoro says that, “The reason for my being independent is, in a party there is only one person who is selected to contest, but if it is not the choice of the people then they will also get their choice that is why you called me to stand for your rights, and I urge you to continue backing me as you remember the story of Jesus and peter when he was called to walk on the water, Bakosoro has not diverted from SPLM as sang today everywhere but CPA constitution say so.”

Col Bakosoro states that, the Political Bureau called on him to step down but, as people called and chose him, he is committed to stand because when 5 people say no and Millions say Yes Majority wins.

He is considering that his problem is citizens’ problem, to consider the future of their children, "it is your call if you make me fail, we shall all fail together and the future also will fail," he said.

He pointed out that, "Election is not violence or hatred, but Love and peace just like a football match, one (…), therefore if Bakosoro fails, he has to go home, if he wins he deserves the trophy, and the entire WES will celebrate and enjoy the success."

According to his Manifesto, he promised thousands of supporters that, the first priority is security which is the way towards development.

Farmers haven’t cultivated well in their own regions leading to poor and shortage of food in WES which used to be leading producer of food in Southern Sudan.

He appreciated the efforts laid by big business men in WES for their support, and promised to uplift business standards if elected and raise their standards.

Yambio and Nzara traders donated 7 motorcycles, 60 + cartoons of soft drinks, 3 drums of fuel apart from other counties to gear his campaign to the fullest.

He called upon his supporters to focus and forecast for 20-50 years ahead, "Bakosoro is for peace, transparency, we should not experience Kenyan Violence in WES, therefore no one should cause problem with any one unless you want [me] to fail."

As a consequence, students were so happy when he talked of education and security reflecting to their harassment during the CPA, and urged him to win and secure them from all the sufferings and mistreatment they endure from the current WES government.

(ST)

Thread has been made a sticky :cheers:

Thread has been made a sticky :cheers:

thanks:cheers:

The interim constitution stipulates that an elected president has a 5 year term and can only be re-elected once for a second term of the same duration. After the referendum next year I'm hopeful that the new constitution will set similar term limits (I actually think 10 years is too long a cumulative term). I would also like to see us take it a step further. From the experiences of our neighbours to the North and far West one issue we see again and again in Africa is nepotism and inheritance of leadership. I would love to see a constitutional amendment that precludes the election of an immediate relative of a previous president. That way we can avoid the controversy and instability that places like Egypt and Gabon have recently had to deal with.

prohibiting the election of an immediate relative of a president can be troublesome because any capable person should have the right to be elected, in any case that law would be devastating for the ummah party.

Lam Akol to launch election campaign in Juba next week

February 28, 2010 (JUBA) – The former Foreign Minister of Sudan and leader of the breakaway Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, is expected to launch his election campaign next week in Juba.

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Sudan’s SPLM-DC leader Lam Akol (AFP)

Dr. Akol who currently resides in Khartoum is also expected to participate in the forthcoming inter-parties dialogue which is scheduled to take place on the 3rd March.

The political parties in the South will discuss the code of conduct for the elections as many of them complain of harassment by the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Lam Akol launched this Saturday his electoral campaign in Malakal, capital of Upper Nile State, where he pledged if elected President of Southern Sudan Government to curb corruption, promote democratic freedoms economic development in the semi-autonomous region.

During the launch of his election campaign on Wednesday in Juba, the First Vice President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is the SPLM presidential candidate for Southern Sudan, assured that all political parties in the South would be allowed to campaign freely.

He said he would also wish to see Lam Akol, his only challenger in the elections for the post of the President, conducting his campaign in the Southern Sudan’s capital.

Major General Gier Chuang Aluong, minister of Internal Affairs told the press that the Southern Sudan Police Service would provide the necessary protection to Dr. Lam Akol if he launches his campaign in Juba.

Gier said in a press conference he held on Saturday that there are more than six thousand (6,000) personnel of the Police Service who are trained to protect the exercise of the elections in Southern Sudan.

He added that the Police Service has been supported by the Government of National Unity in Khartoum.

This week, Dr. Lam’s party office in Renk, Upper Nile state, was reportedly ransacked by SPLM supporters.

Some elements of the Joint Integrated Units (JIUs) in Malakal had earlier torn his pictures posted along the streets of the town.

It is yet to be seen whether his supporters in Juba and elsewhere will be freely allowed to move and rally behind him during his campaigns.

(ST)

Sudan’s SPLM needs ‘100%’ votes in Jonglei to ‘maintain history’

Sunday 28 February 2010

By Philip Thon Aleu

February 27, 2010 (BOR) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) stressed at the first electoral rally in Bor on Saturday that winning gubernatorial and parliamentary seats in Jonglei state would “maintain history.”

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Photo: From Right to Left, Kuol Manyang Juuk, Gier Chuang Aluong and Michael Makuei Lueth react to supporters in Bor on February 27, 2010 (photo by Philip Thon Aleu – ST)

Addressing thousands of supporters at Bor Town Freedom Square, SPLM contenders, headed by candidate for Jonglei governorship Kuol Manyang Juuk, explained this year’s campaigns slogan of “freedom, peace and prosperity”.

On freedom, the SPLM at the rally said that principles of democracy, including free speech and media, are a “matter-of-fact” in the south. The SPLM deputy secretary for political affairs, southern sector, Antipas Nyok Kucha, lamented that the SPLM allows its citizens to express their concerns without intimidation “unlike in the past when you cannot ask your leader why he/she does not deliver any services?”

“It was a crime if question a politician. The SPLM says you are free to express your views in the way you are governed”.

The ex-Southern rebel group underscored achievements made in the last five years and urged voters to allow them to “cross the river.”

On the issue of insecurity, a vital element for this year’s gubernatorial campaign, there was finger pointing to the north and Juba for its slow response in quelling tribal fights over resources.

Boarding a pick-up car, SPLM’s Kuol Manyang Juuk, Baranaba Marial Benjamin, John Luk Jok, Michal Makuei Lueth and Gier Chuang Aluong, were waving to on-lookers and supporters escorting them throughout the town. Chanting ‘SPLM Oyee’ and praising the former rebel leaders with songs of liberation, it is now clear that this campaign is another testing struggle to the five years old party.

“There is lots to be done,” said SPLM candidate for Jonglei governor Kuol Manyang. “CPA implementation and particularly the preparation for 2011 referendum in the south need SPLM. This is another war,” he says.

“If you give the NCP [ruling National Congress Party] a chance, they will dishonor the CPA,” Mr. Kuol said in a challenge his NCP rival Joseph Duer. He cited 1972 Addis Ababa agreement that was broken by Khartoum thus ignited the 1983 war. A third candidate for Jonglei governorship is independent, George Athor. He was initially seeking election on SPLM ticket.

A number of SPLM members are contesting for the elections as independent candidates in Jonglei. Analysts say SPLM risks losing some seats following party’s nomination processes that disappointed many aspiring members.

Kuol noted today that constituencies where independent candidates are competing against SPLM cast some doubts of victory there.

“When two dogs fights over a borne, the third dog will take it,” Kuol quoted what the English saying in reference to SPLM versus independent, where the third contender, either NCP or southern opposition party, will have clear chances of winning.

As incumbent governor, Kuol outlined his areas of success in the last two years in power. He announced completion of Ayod – Akobo road yesterday, Friday February 26. A road network connecting Twic East, Duk, Ayod, Uror, Pibor, Bor and Nyirol Counties through Gadiang, a modern village under construction in eastern Twic, is underway. Construction of Bor-Pibor road will begin next week as breakthrough to what he calls “main challenger.” “And that is why I need your votes to complete what I had started,” he says.

“SPLM FOR PEACE”

In 2009, Jonglei experienced deadly inter-tribal conflicts over cattle raiding and child abduction. The clashes, where nearly two thousand people died, tainted Jonglei’s image and challenged the ability of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) to provide security to its citizens.

Kuol, who took office from Philip Thon Leek in December 2007 was tasked with restoring peace in the diverse state inhibited by six tribes of Jei, Dinka, Murle, Nuer, Anyuak and Kachipo.

He said in today’s rally that he proposed civilians’ disarmament since he took office but the response from the GoSS was slow – which he coherently attributed to limited resources.

“A lot of deaths occurred in 2009 and the response from GoSS [to calls for disarmament] was slow,” he saying adding that “We understand that there are no enough resources [in the south to finance disarmament programs].”

The SPLM state leader also accused the north governing party, the NCP, of not playing its part in contributing to stability in the south on areas of road connections that could increase police mobility to control insecurity.

With disarmament in the last phase, Mr. Kuol says he will work extra hard to maintain unity. He called upon the citizens to remain calm during the elections and asked for forgiveness if SPLM had offended anyone during the liberation war. “We are Christians,” he said “don’t punish us [SPLM] by denying us a vote. We want to take you across the river” in direct reference to 2011 referendum for self determination in the south.

Launching campaigns in Bor today revives memories of May 16, 1983 when the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), the SPLM guerrilla military wing, started a war that ended in 2005 with peace accord.

“In Jonglei, SPLM needs 100% votes at all levels,” Mar Nyuot, the SPLM State deputy chairperson says. “We need this to happen in Jonglei for this historic town of Bor to maintain history,” he added.

KIIR TO VISIT BOR

The SPLM also announced that South Sudan candidate for President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has named Bor town for second campaign stop after Juba. Kiir, who will marathon the election campaigns against a SPLM breakaway political party in the south, the SPM-DC nominee Lam Akol, has also named Torit, another revolutionary town to visit after Bor. No dates are made public for both rallies in Bor and Torit. If Kiir comes to Bor in March 2010, it will be his first visit since 2007.

The significance these 2010 campaigns is that people in south Sudan are aware, for the first time, of the power they possess. Leaders are going out of their way to say “vote for me.” In Bor rally today, each candidate had a chance ask voters to “take me back to power.”

From Kuol Manyang Juuk and other SPLM candidates, everyone have his/her T-shirt for easy recognition. Giant posters were erected in the town to mark the beginning of campaigns as clock ticks to April 11 in the next 43 days of official campaigns.

April polls are first inclusive elections in the south since independence in 1956 and part of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) signed between the NCP and the former southern rebel; the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in 2005.

(ST)

SPLM Gubernatorial candidate launches election campaign in W. Equatoria

Sunday 28 February 2010

February 27, 2010 (YAMBIO) — SPLM party has officially launched its campaign in Western Equatoria State (WES) on Saturday the 27th Feb. 2010 in Yambio at the Freedom Square after three miles procession to Sugu-siro by supporters.

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The aspiring SPLM Candidate to contest for Governorship in WES Jemma Nunu Kumba was the guest of honor. The launching came after the end of SPLM campaign season, organized to orient its members.

Business centers in Yambio town were closed as trucks and buses stormed Yambio capital suburbs to ferry the supporters to witness the launching of the SPLM campaigns in Western Equatoria State Yambio.

Chanting the party songs, the jubilant procession headed from SPLM State secretariat to Suk-Siro 2 miles from Yambio town before settling at the freedom square in the heart of Yambio town where they listened to speeches from various party die-hards.

Unveiling their symbol of a white star in a black triangle, the SPLM candidate for the post of governorship H.E Jemma Nunu Kumba pledged to uphold the value of CPA and the interest of people of WES which include peace, equality and prosperity only acquired through SPLM.

She pledged to fulfill the plans laid by her if re-elected as governor, stressing the achievements obtained during her governorship in the past two years.

She also promised to provide security to all aspiring candidates irrespective of their political affiliation as the care taker of the state.

The deputy Chairperson of SPLM WES who is also the aspiring SPLM candidate for State Assembly from Maridi West constituency number 9, Comrade Edward Bukulu before welcoming the SPLM nominated Aspiring candidate for the post of WES Governorship said that, "Today marks the bright day for the new Sudan which is for all Sudanese despite colors that is why SPLM is against people who want to be on top of others being the message of New Sudan".

Bukulu further narrated the profile of Jemma, who was born in 1966 in Mopoi Payam under Tambura county, where she finished her elementary and joined Juba Day Secondary then to University of Namibia-Windhoek graduating with a Bachelor of Degrees in Public Administrations and political Science apart from other professional courses in the USA, Tanzania, Zambia etc hence she has full experience compared to others.

Stressing that, Jemma was amongst the SPLM delegations during the 2002-2005 Peace e agreement in Machakos and Nairobi and was the first woman to be elected by late hero Dr. John Garang De- Mabior in Juba in 2005-2008 for the national assembly in Khartoum. He also mentioned that, Nunu was elected in 2006-2008 in the foreign relation committee and the leader of the Sudan Parliamentary delegation permanent for the Pan African Parliament in Johannesburg South Africa and vice leader of foreign relation in conflict resolution making her fit for the leadership of WES .

Madam Jemma was nominated in March 2008 as the Governor of WES in which she made use of her experience in collaboration with all her cabinets via their corporations.

Edward exerted that, the April’s general polls is not like a hungry person rushing for a well roasted chicken ready on the table only to be eaten, because of hunger, but it should be a hunger of everybody that is the problem of all Sudanese.

STATE RESOURCES

Observers have criticized the SPLM in the state for the use of State resource to launch campaigns; all vehicles in the campaign reading GOSS plate number were seen at the rally – setting bad example for other smaller parties who are not in charge.

HUMANITARIAN AID

The continues claim by Jemma Nunu to have constructed Yambio-Tambura and Mobile phone networks is giving negative impact on her campaign as most civilians regard her as a liar claiming such humanitarian projects – observers say, road projects, mobile phone network and FM radio were planned by Brigadier Patrick Zamoi the first governor after CPA before what many Western Equatorians his “illegal removal.”

United States Agency for International Development is funding road construction in Western Equatoria, under the supervision of UNOPS – a project which negotiated by former minister of Finance John Dabi.

Jemma is yet to unveil her new developmental plans that she has planned and achieved her tenure in the office.

Development related to hosting CPA is part of national celebration, which is should not accorded to one person said, Keliopa Nzari, a resident of Bangasu payam.

Most residents of Bangasu refused to board two buses sent to carry them for attending SPLM gubernatorial rally, saying “they don’t clean water in their villages which can warrant their support to Jemma Nunu.”

State vehicles went to neighboring places to carry participants to attend the launching – with many being given 25SG as pocket after boarding the bus.

(ST)

SPLM launches official campaign in Rumbek

Monday 1 March 2010

By Manyang Mayom

February 28, 2010 (RUMBEK) - The Lakes state Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) state secretary organized the official launching of their campaign to elect Engineer Chol Tong Mayay as governor.

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SPLM Lakes state governor candidate Chol Tong Mayay speaking in Rumbek Freedom Square

Chol Tong Mayay had won the party’s nomination during an electoral primary held at Palm-tree hotel. He is confronted by three others parties’ candidates, from NCP, UDSF and ANC-Sudan.

Over 7000 of Lakes state attended the official launching on Saturday at Rumbek Freedom Square. the Lakes state caretaker Governor Telar Ring was among the official in the ceremony. However three South Sudan musicians were brought to perform in the event including female artiest Nyankol Mathiang, David Pacong Mading and Marial Awuok Til.

Speaking to thousands of supporters, the SPLM governor candidate said that he is still having pain due to cross-checking dead in Lakes from recent local conflicts.

"All our brothers and sisters, elderly people and children were lost during our struggle – the solution to compensate them is the promise that the SPLM had brought to New Sudan – to deliver nice services to people ever and ever and to take town to the people rather people to the town, as said by our late hero Dr. John Garang – if you all vote for me this random dying will definitely stop and development will take place as well police training which will take off without objection", he told the crowd.

"I will work hard to make sure that traditional chiefs are given their salaries because chiefs had suffered a lot during our struggle and now they don’t have salaries, I will work hard for them so that they will get paid," said Chol.

He described potential improvements in electrical power and hospitals as ways to compensate the society from the losses of the long civil war. He mentioned also improvements to water sources for both humans and cattle, which he postulated would reduce insecurity from conflict.

"Vote for me, vote for Yasir Saeed Arman who is contesting for the Republic of Sudan in Khartoum as well Salva Kiir Mayardit who is contesting for South Sudan presidency, if you confirm us in power, I believe that all your pain will be healed within a week time," he promised.

He also added that if voted into power, SPLM would empower teachers with higher salaries, which he said they deserve because they are doing a great job.

Daniel Awet Akot, the outgoing governor, told SPLM supporters in Rumbek Freedom Square that all our skeletons are found everywhere in South Sudan, Darfur and Kassala: "vote SPLM candidates into power so that the mission and vision given to them during the struggle should get complete." He also promise that 25% of top positions for women if all women would vote for SPLM party.

Lakes state caretaker governor Telar Ring Deng affirmed that his entire vote must go to the SPLM party. He warn all an independent candidates not to use any SPLM logo or chant for the name of SPLM as they carry out their campaign.

Ring affirmed that “I will protect you all – I will provide enough security to all parties’ candidates - protection is my responsibility and I will do it to give you equal protection”.

Furthermore, Cde Chol Tong Mayay had been frequently meeting with university students, disabled people’s groups and chiefs whose support he won.

(ST)

Chiefayic,

From what I have been reading in ST, I think a lot of southerners will be voting for SPLM-DC. Please correct me if I'm mistaken!

But I think in South Sudan, Dinka voters will be voting SPLM for sure, probably Neur as well since their Riek will be vice-prez if the SPLM wins the elections.

Sudanese politics is very strange, I cannot believe that Northerners are not allowed to vote in South Sudan elections when Southerners are allowed to vote in Northern Sudan and the whole of Sudan elections!!!!!

I agree that only Southerners should be voting in the referendum, but I think Northerners should have a say on who to govern Southern states!!!!!

The only problem is secession will not solve any of our problems!

Chiefayic,

From what I have been reading in ST, I think a lot of southerners will be voting for SPLM-DC. Please correct me if I'm mistaken!

But I think in South Sudan, Dinka voters will be voting SPLM for sure, probably Neur as well since their Riek will be vice-prez if the SPLM wins the elections.

Sudanese politics is very strange, I cannot believe that Northerners are not allowed to vote in South Sudan elections when Southerners are allowed to vote in Northern Sudan and the whole of Sudan elections!!!!!

I agree that only Southerners should be voting in the referendum, but I think Northerners should have a say on who to govern Southern states!!!!!

The only problem is secession will not solve any of our problems!

you are absolutely right, and not only am i afraid secession wont solve any of our problems but i fear it will take us back to square one with the issue of the south. Especially if the sensitive issues such as borders between north and south are not resolved.

rally South Darfur

http://i49.************/vnyz68.jpg

NCP rally Juba

http://i49.************/1tvcz9.jpg

http://i47.************/eg6zjq.jpg

http://i50.************/4h7e5y.jpg

Chiefayic,

From what I have been reading in ST, I think a lot of southerners will be voting for SPLM-DC. Please correct me if I'm mistaken!

But I think in South Sudan, Dinka voters will be voting SPLM for sure, probably Neur as well since their Riek will be vice-prez if the SPLM wins the elections.

It is no secret that Lam's diehard supporters have been rigorously using the net to advance their cause. Reading some of their writings one would think that SPLM-DC stood a chance.....But it will be nothing short of miracle if they actually come close.

Sure, some people will vote for DC but if by "a lot" you mean significant percentage of South's voting population then you are mistaken. Why? Because DC has no concrete base in any particular area in South and that is including Shilluk kingdom where Dr. Lam hail from. Look, you have just said that DC is likely to lose Dinka and Nuer. Well, practically that would translate to losing 7 out of 10 states.

Mind you though, this is not all about tribal politic as you would want us to believe. It is just that, this is a very critical epoch in South's history and DC is perceived as nothing but an extension of NCP. Believe me, the last thing any southern political party or politician needs is to be seen as promoting northerners agenda.

It is all about trust really.

Sudanese politics is very strange, I cannot believe that Northerners are not allowed to vote in South Sudan elections when Southerners are allowed to vote in Northern Sudan and the whole of Sudan elections!!!!!

DUH! Southerners are allowed to vote in whole Sudan because they are Sudanese. As for them voting in northern states....Well, I am not aware of that. I don't see any logic to why southerners would waste their time voting for people who doesn't represent them in any way.

I agree that only Southerners should be voting in the referendum, but I think Northerners should have a say on who to govern Southern states!!!!!

Good luck with that....

The only problem is secession will not solve any of our problems!

No one is under any illusion that it will all be rosy after secession. However, it will sure solve some problems.

SPLM governor pick Rezig Hassan campaigns in Wau

Tuesday 2 March 2010

By Ngor Arol Garang

March 1, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Rezig Zacharia Hassan, the gubernatorial candidate on the ticket of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), on Saturday launched his electoral campaign in Wau town, the capital of the southern state of Western Bahr el Ghazal.

The former Raja commissioner served under the recently replaced governor Mark Nyipuoc, whose post is now occupied by the caretaker governor Effesio Kon Uguak.

Rezig Zacharia Hassan draws support from politicians in the state including clan members of former governor Mark Nyipyuoc. He has a good working relationship with current caretaker governor Effesio Kon Uguak who doubles as official spokesperson of the state government as well as Minister of Information and Communication Services.

Effesio Kon Uguak reportedly holds a political grudge against the ex-governor, despite their shared clan affiliation. The rivalry led to Uguak’s removal from the position of SPLM state Secretary General in months that also saw the removal of Rezig Zacharia from the Raja county commissionership in 2008.

However, key members within Luo and Western Bahr el Ghazal State as a whole managed to convince then-Governor Nyipuoc to consider Uguak for a ministerial appointment in months leading towards end of 2008.

Both the SPLM governor candidate and acting Governor Uguak have a political friendship with the former commissioner for Wau East County, Colonel Wol Maduong. Wol, who was also removed by Mark Nyipuoc, petitioned for the removal of the governor. He is expected to come on board Rezig’s administration as state security advisor, if the SPLM candidate wins in the upcoming elections.

Addressing the crowd of his supporters on Saturday, Rezig told the citizens that they will enjoy good governance if he is elected as next governor. He also urged citizens to make the right choice when voting to ensure the right person is put in the right position.

Addressing the public on the same occasion, Secretary General of Western Bahr El Ghazal’s High Election Committee Arkangelo Udo reminded all campaigning candidates and parties to refrain for using government assets.

He said state-owned vehicles and offices must not be used to serve campaign purposes, cautioning campaigners not to use threats to coerce votes. All involved in campaigning must abide by the electoral code of conduct, Udo said adding that campaigners are not allowed to talk ill of other candidates or defame opposition political parties.
(ST)

Independent candidate tours W. Equatoria counties

Tuesday 2 March 2010

March 1, 2010 (TAMBURA) – Western Equatoria gubernatorial independent candidate has embarked on a campaign tour to Ezo, Tambura and Nagero counties, three days after he launched his campaign which drew thousands of his supporters in Yambio.

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Col Bakosoro, addressing his supporters in Yambio on Feb 27, 2010 (Gift Friday)

The visit is the first of its kind since declared his intention to run as an independent candidate.

The second leg of his campaign has taken him to a region where he was once County Commissioner and many in the region remember him for his move which encouraged traders to build new shops during the murky days of southern Sudan.

Upon his arrival in Tambura County he was warmly welcomed by his Campaign Manager and members of the public in Tambura. Given the ban of what use to be South Sudan flag, his supporters waved green leaves.

Sudan Tribune confirms that, his arrival drew a perky large and enthusiastic crowd, who had waited for long for the man many refer already to as governor.

Col Joseph Bakosoro received a rousing welcome in Tambura, those who could not get near to him waited in hopes of catching a glimpse of Western Equatoria’s independent candidate.

He stepped from his vehicle and ignited the crowd by smiling and waving enthusiastically to them for several minutes before crusading to the heart of Tambura town.

The cheering and applause continued for at least five minutes as a smiling Bakosoro made several attempts to begin his campaign messages, but the audience would not quit until they had delivered their welcome songs.

Upon his arrival traditional dancers welcomed him with a new song created recently for his campaign trail.

The people’s choice While launching his campaign last week Col Bakosoro arrived at the freedom square on a three wheel motorbike known as “raksha” which rode him all the way from Masiya. His supporters rushed to the motorbike and carried him down. "This is the first time I have seen people being carried in the history of the Azande since the time of King Gbudue", said an old man who stood and watched him being carried.

"I came from Juba not to go back but to be with you here as your governor. You asked me to come here to be your governor and today I am here with you and if you let me down, we will all fall into the big ocean," he told his supporters.

Col Bakosoro stated that he joined the war in WES and fought together with other colleagues the war that brought the CPA. He stated that he is standing as independent candidate is to strengthen the CPA and democracy which many shaded blood for.

He dismissed rumors that he will chase away other tribes from the stated if elected governor of WES.

He continued by saying that every southerner have the right to live in any place anywhere in the South. "It was the people who asked me to come here to stand as independent and without you (the people); otherwise I would not stand as independent".

"What kind of a governor would I be if I chase people away who are not from this state?" He asked.

"I cannot promise you that I shall do this and that or build skyscraper buildings. We shall work together with all of you to build and develop our beloved state," he stated.

Col Bakosoro stated that he will bring back the people who ran away from the atrocities of LRA to their villages and provide them full security. He stated that he can only do this if elected as governor.

He said that he will change the way of business in the state by helping the local traders to become business minded people with reasonable capital because without helping them the state will be weak economically.

Among the things he would make priorities were: Education, Health, Security, Accountability, Development and Good governance.

Col Bakosoro narrated that he will never pay any person for his/her vote because he believes buying votes is completely illegally.

(ST)

Lam Akol will not likely win any of the states, but yassir Arman prancing about claiming that all Southerners will vote SPLM is kidding himself.

South Sudan parties Develope An election code

Marvis Birungi

Southern Sudan political parties Tuesday 2 agreed upon an election code of conduct that will ensure free and fair inclusive elections.

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At least 17 parties including the south’s ruling Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement SPLM met Monday with the African Union AU high level panel headed by Pierre Buyoya a former President of Burundi.

Reading the declaration, Mahmud Abdul, AU advisor mentioned that “The parties will ensure free, fair and inclusive elections.
The document further read that the parties must be protected from any form of intimidation and violence.

The parties also agreed to re-commit to the 2005 peace deal that ended a 22 year long civil war in the semi-autonomous region.

On the latter, the parties pointed to the right of self determination that shall be exercised in a referendum in January 2011.

“All political parties in Sudan re-commit themselves to implementing the provisions of the CPA fully and faithfully in accordance with the time agreed, especially with the right of self determination of the people of southern Sudan,” the document read.

According to southern Vice President Riek Machar, “It is a very important document because we are addressing issues of free and fair elections.”

“It commits all parties to play a fair game in the election process,” he added

Francis Luawala Yudah, secretary general of the United Democratic Front UDF in Central Equatoria called upon the ruling SPLM to abide by the Code of conduct and prove to the international community that the region is capable of conducting free and fair elections.

Labuk Simon, chief organizer of the youths for United Democratic Salvation front UDSF mainstream, supplemented that the code is a responsibility of both ruling parties in the south and in the north.

“The ruling parties must take the initiate to respect and implement the code of conduct,” he said.

The implementation is always the problem, said Jimmy Wongo, a member of the United Sudan African Party USAP.

“It’s the security organs supposed to implement the code to the latter,” he said. “However the security organs are under the government. It’s therefore the government responsibility to carry out matters to do with safety of the candidates,” said Jimmy.

The parties also agreed to solve disputes arising from the political parties concerning the out come of election to be resolved in a legal and peaceful manner in accordance with the democratic principles.

Peter Abdulman Sule, leader of UDF noted that the code should have been adopted way before the registration.

He affirmed that violations on many candidates that are non SPLM have been committed previously.

Clement Juma Mbugoniwia, party leader of the United South Sudan Party USSP said the code is a good initiative although it’s late.

“The code of conduct has been adopted in close dates to the elections,” he said.

“Much harassment has already been experienced,” added Mbugoniwia.

President of the government of south Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit reiterated his commitment to the code of conduct during his opening remarks.

“I want to assure all party leaders that we are committed to this process and the code will not be violated by the SPLM and I hope all of us will abide by what we commit our selves to,” said the Goss president.

“We will ensure that the elections campaigns are violent and intimidation free,” Kiir added.

Pierre Buyoya, a former Burundian president, who chaired the meeting for the AU said “My strong message is that to achieve free and fair elections is primarily the responsibility of the political parties, independent candidates and the government.

“This agreement is helping create a conducive environment for that,” he added.

Southern presidential candidate Lam Akol, who is from the splinter SPLM Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party, also signed.

The northern-ruling National Congress Party (NCP) was not present at the meeting, but senior AU officials said the party had committed itself to signing the deal later.

The AU hopes to implement a similar agreement in the north, although northern based parties including the Umma and Popular Congress Party (PCP) signed the code in Juba.

(SOSA)

^^ :yes:

Smaller parties in Sudan’s W. Equatoria accuse governor of using state resources for campaign

Thursday 4 March 2010

March 3, 2010 (YAMBIO) – A number of smaller opposition parties in Western Equatoria state have accused the caretaker governor of massive utilization of government resources and assets during campaign rallies.

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A deadly accident occurred March 1 involving this vehicle used in campaigning.

The Western Equatoria caretaker governor, Jemma Nunu Kumba, also doubles as SPLM flag bearer for the Western Equatoria gubernatorial contest.

During the launch of the SPLM campaign in this agriculturally rich state, over 50 government vehicles were used to transport civilians to make the launching colorful and famous.

Concern about this has been raised by WES gubernatorial independent candidate Col. Joseph Bakosoro: "It is deplorable to witness the excessive use of government resources by one candidate, given the fact that the resources are under the government which is composed of other parties."

Two days ago, a double cabin Land Cruiser (plate GOSS WES – 0017C) overturned and left the driver dead and many others wounded. The vehicle had left Source Yubu for Yambio, after the agents of the caretaker governor were chased in Source Yubu where they had gone to campaign for the caretaker governor.

Political parties and independents have been banned from using Yambio FM, which is the only medium of reaching the grassroots.

"Nobody apart from the caretaker governor should talk over FM concerning the election," one of his aides was quoted as whispering to Yambio FM Interim administration.

There are also some fears of intimidation. It was reported that the incumbent governor urged foreign community leaders to convince their people to vote for her in the coming general elections, or else face deportation.

It was also said that two days ago the Office Manager of Ibba County Commissioner was caught red handed advising one SPLA soldier of Battalion 137 that, “nobody should campaign in Ibba county for governorship except Nunu.”

Ordinary people who have lived for five years in dire poverty after the signing of CPA see this as “bullying and mere jokes.”

"Why at this time? I’m a Christian and I live on my faith, [but] at this moment I’m not talking to [God] because I’m very bitter at this stage, we need change," said Keliopa Mboriyo.

He and his family fled to Gangura payam to Yambio where they now fear for their lives.

"Anyone who is resisting the change has something to hide - it’s as simple as that," he said. "If you have nothing to hide, let’s do the elections to establish what has happened."

Sudan radio prevents candidate from addressing Bashir’s ICC warrant

Thursday 4 March 2010

March 3, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese state radio blocked the leader of the Umma Party and one of twelve runners in the presidential race from broadcasting his speech over a number of items that it labeled as “inciting prejudices and hatred against the state”.

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Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi (Umma Party)

The twenty minutes pre-recorded audio message was to be broadcasted on radio as part of rules allowing presidential candidates to utilize the state media to deliver electoral campaign programs. Sudanese opposition parties however have said that time is unevenly distributed and leaning sharply in favor of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

The Umma party issued a statement saying that the radio director called them on Wednesday afternoon to express reservations regarding portions mentioned by the former prime minister Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi in his statement.

Among the twenty objectionable items is description of government officials as ‘Inqazists’ [Salvationists] in reference to the 1989 coup named at the time as the National Salvation Revolution.

The officials at the radio opposed a reference made to the Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir as a “head of state wanted internationally” by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for responsibility on war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur.

The former prime minister’s also spoke on the summary executions that took place since the 1989 coup against military officials, political opposition and individuals accused of trading in hard currency in the early 90’s.

Al-Mahdi also accused the NCP of creating an atmosphere making the secession choice in the South Sudan 2011 referendum as “inevitable”.

The Umma party statement said they attempted to dispute the assessment made with the radio top officials with no success asserting that Al-Mahdi’s criticism “was objective and not personal”.

“The NCP presidential candidate and its leaders threw competing parties with baseless allegations that were carried by state media with all humility and cursed at the democratic government with constitutional legitimacy [pre-1989 government led by Al-Mahdi”.

“They [NCP] said that their competitors are receiving funds from [Western] embassies and supplied no evidence for their unfounded allegations while the Imam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi did not throw baseless accusations since the military officers were already executed and he said that their execution was not fair, and the issue of separation being inevitable because of Inqaz policies…became essentially known in the nation”.

“The issue of the head of state being wanted internationally is an info that requires no proof since he is being sought whether we like it or not and the Ingazists themselves are talking about Ingaz…disputing the term is a pointless one in favor of the NCP”.

The statement said that “it became clear” that the purpose is to “muzzle” Al-Mahdi and threatened this incident to the National elections Committee (NEC) and until then they will cease any dealings with the state radio unless they receive a formal apology.

Sudanese opposition parties have complained about the credibility of the National Elections Committee NEC and restrictions imposed on political associations and gathering by the authorities. Furthermore, the political parties contest that they are not treated fairly in comparison to the NCP candidates.

The Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) presidential candidate Yasir Arman has boycotted a recording at the state media for what he described as bias and control by the NCP over coverage of their activities.

Yesterday the opposition parties issued a joint statement announcing their withdrawal from the Joint Media Council for Elections saying they were not consulted in its formation and that it does not have fair representation.

The statement said that they have submitted their recommendations on the improving its work but were ignored by the NEC prompting their decision.

A Sudanese journalist in Khartoum who is following the elections closely told Sudan Tribune that it is to be expected that the state media will not broadcast a number of sensitive topics that may hurt NCP stakes in the elections.

“They cannot allow anyone to come on TV and say for example that Bashir cannot travel freely or speak of massive tortures and executions that took place in the hands of the very people running in today’s elections” the journalist said.

“The NCP wants to shift people’s attention away from the widespread corruption led by its figures since they came to power to how they extracted oils, stopped rationing, built roads and tall buildings” he added.

He further said that the government recognizes the “bad deeds” they have done to its people but is attempting “to erase it from people’s memories”.

The NEC has urged political parties to refrain from tribalism and disseminating messages that fuel violence during the process.

Yesterday Human Rights Watch (HRW) sent a letter to the European Union (EU) urging its electoral observes heading to Sudan to “look at entire human rights situation and how it is affecting the elections environment”.

“Authorities harassed, assaulted, and arbitrarily arrested political party observers and human rights activists, including Darfuri students who have spoken out about elections and other sensitive topics such as the role of international justice in Darfur. Southern Sudanese authorities were also responsible for human rights violations, arbitrarily arresting and detaining members of the northern ruling National Congress Party and political parties seen to be in alliance with it”.

The letter also highlighted the ICC’s outstanding warrant against Bashir arguing that the EU should refrain from direct contact with him in view of the pending arrest warrant.

“Al-Bashir is a wanted man who needs to answer to charges of heinous crimes at the ICC….EU silence on this issue risks tacitly endorsing Khartoum’s total obstruction of justice for atrocities against Darfuris”.

Most candidates has avoided touching on this sensitive topic during their elections campaign which observers say is due to a fear of retaliation from authorities or political considerations.

In his banned message Al-Mahdi suggested that electing him will improve relations with the international community contrary to a government under Bashir indicted by the ICC.

“We can deal with the international community because we are not or accused or followed or criminals who committed crimes against anyone or shed anyone’s blood…..so that we can engage with the international community and ask the international community to forgive Sudan’s debt which now stands at 34 billion dollars” he said.

The legislative, regional and presidential elections on April 11 will be Sudan’s first since Mahdi was elected. Under electoral commission rules, the candidates are allowed an equal amount of airtime on national radio and television.

(ST)

DUP leader renews call for genuine democratic transition

Thursday 4 March 2010

March 3, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Mohamed Osman Al Mirghani, leader of Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) launched on Tuesday the election campaign of his party from eastern Sudan town of Kassala where he renewed his call for a genuine democratic transition in the country.

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Eastern Sudan is considered one of the regions of influence of the second important political force according to the results of last democratic election in 1986.

Al-Mirghani who signed as leader of an opposition umbrella, National Democratic Alliance, a peace agreement in June 2005 sponsored by the Egyptian government had refused to return to the Sudan requesting the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to implement democratic transition as it had been agreed in Cairo.

He also launched an initiative for a comprehensive national reconciliation, to reach a national consensus on Sudanese political problems including CPA implementation and Darfur crisis.

In a rally attended by thousands of supporters the DUP leader urged the ruling National Congress Party to achieve a genuine democratic transition in the country and urged Sudanese political forces to adopt his initiative.

The former close ally of the late chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, John Garang announced he would travel soon to Juba for the first time since the implementation of the CPA.

Al Mirghani had declined an invitation to attend a meeting of opposition parties held last year in Juba. He also turned down calls by the NCP to forge a political alliance before the elections.

The DUP runner for the presidential election Hatim Al-Sir accused the NCP of attempting to hinder Al-Mirghani arrival to Kassala, pointing out that the number of people attending the electoral meeting in Kassala demonstrates the popularity of the party.

(ST)

prohibiting the election of an immediate relative of a president can be troublesome because any capable person should have the right to be elected, in any case that law would be devastating for the ummah party.

:nuts::nuts::nuts::nuts::nuts: very true indeed

South Sudan radio stations say raided ahead of vote
05 Mar 2010 15:53:00 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Skye Wheeler
JUBA, Sudan, March 5 (Reuters) - Security officers forced their way into two south Sudanese radio stations and detained staff after one of them an interview with an election campaigner, staion managers said on Friday.
Media activists said the raids on Bakhita Radio and Liberty FM highlighted harassment of journalists in the south in the run-up to presidential and legislative elections next month.
Staff at Liberty FM told Reuters armed men who said they were from south Sudan's police burst into the station's office in the southern capital Juba on Wednesday and forced it to stop broadcasting.
"They came with guns held high," said station manager Albino Tokwaro. "(One of the men) locked up the radio building and took the keys with him."
Tokwaro said he was taken to a police station and interviewed by a senior officer. "He said 'You are producing bad programs that bring hatred of the people.'"
Tokwaro said Liberty FM had aired a live interview with a member of the campaign team for Alfred Lado Gorre, an independent candidate for the governorship of Central Equatoria state, which includes Juba.
He said the interview had included complaints about the lack of clean water, health facilities and good roads in the city.
No one was immediately available to comment from the police.
The south's Roman Catholic Bakhita Radio released a statement saying security men also raided its premises on Wednesday and arrested the manager, Sister Cecilia Sierra Salcido, a nun, without explaining their actions.
"We felt offended by the way the directress was taken from her office to the car under police escort," the statement read.
Both stations said staff were later released and they were able to resume broadcasting the same day. Bakhita Radio said it later received an apology from the Director of Security in Central Equatoria State.
Southern rights group the Agency for Independent Media on Friday said the raids amounted to attack on press freedom.
"We expect more intimidation, more harassment of journalists and even the detention of some of our journalists across the south," agency head David de Dau told Reuters.
The elections were promised in a 2005 peace accord that ended more than two decades of north-south civil war in Sudan.
The south's semi-autonomous government is dominated by the former southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) which is widely expected to win most of the southern seats. (Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Sudan’s security arrests political activists after spontaneous meeting

Saturday 6 March 2010

March 5, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese security service arrested three members of a political group campaigning for electoral mobilization to end the rule of the National Congress Party (NCP) after a spontaneous meeting held at bus stop in central Khartoum this week.

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A Grifina activist addressing the public in Khartoum streets (photo from a video posted at Girifina.com)

The three members of Girifina (we have had enough) on Thursday March 4, were arrested by the Sudanese police and security service. Since, they are charged with causing "public noisiness" under Article 77 of the Criminal Act of 1991. They are still in prison and have yet to be released.

A Sudanese rights watchdog, African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), denounced today the detention saying their arrest is in violation with the interim constitution which guarantee "the to freedom of expression, assembly, and association under Article 39".

Sudan will hold its first democratic general election next April to elect Sudanese president, southern Sudan government president, regional governors, members of national parliament, southern Sudan MPs and regional assemblies.

However, the political forces accuse the ruling National Congress Party of controlling the media and using it to advertize the NCP candidates. Also they blame the National Election Commission (NCE) for its lack of independence and conciliatory positions with the government.

On Thursday, the opposition forces gathered outside the NCE premises to protest a circular released recently restricting the organization of public campaigns held by political parties, and civil society organizations.

"The circular restricted any public campaigning, including parties campaigning on their own premises and headquarters. The NEC is purely an administrative body, and these regulations assume power that can only be implemented by the National Assembly;" said the rights group.

The ACJPS also said the crackdown on political parties and activists marks out the limits of freedom tolerated by the NCP government in the current electoral campaign.

Girifna’s activists are regularly arrested by the security service for the distribution of mobilization flyers in the streets. However, the group which is forms in September 2009 is extending now its activities out of the capital to the different Sudanese towns.

Analysts say the security services fear that independent activists can be the nucleus of a large national protest campaign to denounce electoral rigging or any manipulation by the ruling party.

(ST)

NBGS vows support to Arman win forthcoming elections

Saturday 6 March 2010

By Ngor Arol Garang

March 5, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Authorities and citizens from Southern State of Northern Bahr el Ghazal have unanimously vowed their support to the SPLM national presidential candidate, Yasir Arman.

Speaking in an electoral campaign rally launching official programs of incumbent Governor Paul Malong Awan Anei in Aweil North County of Gok Machar, in the house of honorable Mel Wal Achien, advisor to the state governor, Angok Bol Maduordit urged all the citizens to give their supports to Yasir Saeed Arman.

"Although the voting day will be confusing as there will be a lot of boxes in the same place for the same voter, please make sure your votes by all means go to Yasir Saeed Arman," Achien said.

"He is the only presidential candidate capable of changing Sudan to a better state. A country that will treat all her people as equal citizens regardless of their origins, gender religions or ethnicity," he further said.

The official equally called on the citizens to vote for Salva Kiir Mayardit who is contesting the seat he occupies as President of Southern Sudan Government and vote to retain incumbent Governor Malong saying both are true leaders and liberators who can deliver to the expectation of the majority.

"I am asking vote for Malong because I work with him but because of developmental projects he had initiated and are at the finishing stages. Some of them have been completed and inaugurated. This is an achievement in two years time," he said. Voting him out now means beginning from scratch as the new administration would give attention to other priorities.

The Governor during launching of his rally on Wednesday described Yasir Arman as hero and fighter who is committed to the vision, mission and objectives of the SPLM.

Arman is a person we should all be proud of. He is one of the key Sudanese who are committed to right of self-determination for the people of Southern Sudan and Abyei and popular consultation for the people of Nuba Mountain and Southern Blue Nile.

"If we elect Comrade Yasir as President of the Sudan, we will be guarantee of the full implementation of the CPA, exercise of the referendum. I call on all of you to vote for Cde Yasir in this April elections," he said.

He said appealed to all citizens vote for SPLM Candidates for National, Regional and State levels. You should all remember that the fate of the CPA and particularly the referendum scheduled for 2011 will be decided by the assemblies. Therefore, we must have sizable majority in the assemblies at all levels of the governments, he said.

(ST)

Sudan’s elections board reviewing opposition protest memo

Monday 8 March 2010

March 7, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The National Election Commission (NEC) announced that it has started reviewing a memorandum of protest submitted to it by opposition parties regarding reforming the rules set by the commission on the campaigning.

The parties say that new rules published by the NEC meant that they have to give 72 hours notice for rallies held inside their own party premises — and had to ask police for permission to meet outside.

Furthermore, they accuse the NEC of switching the process of printing voting slips from abroad to presses inside Sudan — a move they would lead to duplicate papers and ballot box stuffing.

“It seems the National Elections Commission is working very closely with the National Congress and is issuing circulars that infringe on the rights of political parties,” said Yasir Arman, presidential candidate for the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM), which joined a troubled coalition government with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) after the 2005 accord.

The NEC Deputy Chairman and spokesperson Abdallah Ahmed Abdallah said Sunday in a press statement that the NEC held its first meeting to review the opposition parties memorandum prior to responding to it.

Abdallah dismissed the deadline set by the opposition parties to respond saying that the NEC is not concerned with the ultimatum saying they will reply as soon as possible.

The NCP criticized the step taken by the Sudanese opposition parties saying they are seeking to find a way out of taking part in the April elections adding that they have no right to question the NEC impartiality.

(ST)

Bashir says committed to Islamic state in Sudan

Sunday 7 March 2010

March 6, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir, and leader of National Congress Party (NCP) has reiterated today his commitment to maintain Islamic legislations in the country and rejected calls for a secular state.

http://www.france24.com/en/files/imagecache/aef_ct_article_image/story/20090303-sudan-bashir-m_0.jpg

Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir (AFP)

The incumbent President Al-Bashir who campaigns for his reelection was addressing scholars and leaders of Islamic brotherhoods in Khartoum on Saturday. The issue of Sharia laws is presented as a theme against the SPLM candidate Yasir Arman who calls for its cancellation in order to maintain Sudan’s unity.

Presidential adviser Salah Gosh on Saturday in a speech made in Al Suki, Northern state, attacked opposition parties saying they agreed in Juba to abolish the Islamic laws. He also accused them of using the electoral campaign to advertise for a new secular state.

The NCP runner for Sudan president reaffirmed his commitment to the Islamic laws and the empowerment of the Islamic religion in the countr.; He further scoffed at the proposal of some political parties calling for the establishment of a secular, state and the abolition of the Public Order Act.

Bashir further called on the scholars, preachers and leaders of Sufi brotherhoods to maintaining the Islamic nation and religion by propagating Islam’s principles and precepts among Muslims.

He also commended the efforts of the late President Nimeiri who imposed a harsh and unpopular panel law in September 1983.

"Whatever we disagree with (Nimeiri) him politically, but we stress that he fought against the underworld and bars," Bashir said about the former Sudanese president who applied the Islamic law for the first time since the independence in 1956.

Arman denied recently NCP allegations that he had called to open bars and houses of prostitution he also said that the ruling party is using religion in politics but not really apply it.

"What is happening now is the use of religion in politics, and that has affected Islam," said Arman in a statement posted on his blog.

(ST)

as long as the South is not subjected to shariah law I don't see why it would be a concern whether or not the north chooses to maintain shariah law

:cheers:

Security Heightened in Upper Nile Ahead of Polls

More than 500 new police officers have been recruited in Upper Nile State in a bid to enhance security in the area ahead of the general elections.

08 March 2010

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South Sudanese anti-riot police in their full gear. [©Gurtong]By Daniel Thon Deng

MALAKAL, 08 March 2010 (Gurtong) – The Police Forces’ Commissioner in Upper Nile State Major General Bol John Akot told reporters last week that the new recruits have already been sent to Juba for comprehensive training and would return to Upper Nile upon completion of the training.

“The aim of the police recruitment process was to ensure that we have standard protection of Upper Nile State civilians”, he said.

Major General Akot added that the new police officers will re-enforce the current force, adding that this would ensure peace is maintained in the state prior to and during the polls.

“If we maintain this peaceful scenario in the forthcoming elections, we will be able to safeguard the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by providing broad protection of civilians in the state. This is so since we all know that our vision and mission is to co-exist and reap the dividends of the CPA”, he added.

He pledged to fulfill his promises of better security and development in the state, and called upon other actors to co-operate with the police in order to achieve this.

“We are going to work closely with the United Nations police and other security organs in the state like prisons and wildlife among others to ensure the maintenance of law and order in this state”, said Major General Akot.

He said the police forces will employ international standards during and after the electioneering period.

(Gurtong)

as long as the South is not subjected to shariah law I don't see why it would be a concern whether or not the north chooses to maintain shariah law

Yes, South is exempt from Sharia Law [although this can hardly be said about southerners residing in the North] :nuts:. If you look carefully however, you will notice that the case against Sharia here is coming from northerners.

There are Muslims, Christians, and not so religous northerners who would like to see secularism prevail.:)

Yes, South is exempt from Sharia Law [although this can hardly be said about southerners residing in the North] :nuts:. If you look carefully however, you will notice that the case against Sharia here is coming from northerners.

There are Muslims, Christians, and not so religous northerners who would like to see secularism prevail.:)

if your referring to yassir arman we disowned him years ago:ohno:

^^ Interesting! Whatever your wishes are....he is not about to fade away soon as he will always be a major figure in SPLM northern sector for years to come.

FYI, Mr Arman is not the only advocate for secularism in the north.

^^ Interesting! Whatever your wishes are....he is not about to fade away soon as he will always be a major figure in SPLM northern sector for years to come.

FYI, Mr Arman is not the only advocate for secularism in the north.

my issues with Arman do not end with secularism. The SPLM's political weight lyes with the South with out the South the SPLM will just be a fringe party in Sudan.

90% of his marginal support in the North are from Southerner's who will no longer becitizens of Sudan after 2011, in any case what makes you think the NCP will dissapear from the South after 2011?

Sudan’s NCP signs electoral code of conduct

Tuesday 9 March 2010

March 8, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The ruling Sudan National Congress Party (NCP) today signed the Electoral Code of Conduct, a week after fifteen other parties endorsed it in the Southern Sudan capital of Juba.

The African Union (AU) issued a statement today saying that the code “commits the parties and candidates to common principles for free and fair elections, facilitates self-regulation by Sudan’s political parties during the forthcoming elections”.

“The AU believes that this Code can play an important role in promoting democratization in the Sudan and in building confidence between the different political parties”.

Last week Southern Sudanese political parties and Northern parties competing in the South came together to hammer out the agreement in a two-day meeting convened by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on Sudan.

“The parties undertake to ensure that the forthcoming elections are free, fair and inclusive," the document read. "The democratic political process must be protected from any form of violence or intimidation”.

The NCP was not present at the Juba meeting, but senior AU officials said the party had committed itself to signing the deal later.

“The signing by the NCP of the Code of Conduct provides further momentum for its acceptance by all national Sudanese political parties, and further enhances the chances for a peaceful electoral process in the forthcoming elections. It is expected that more parties will associate themselves with the Code within the coming days.”

Opposition parties have left the door open for boycotting the elections in their upcoming meeting next week accusing the electoral commission and the government of working to curtail campaigning and breaching the election law in favor of the NCP.

Sudan is preparing for April presidential and legislative elections, set up under a 2005 peace accord that also promised the south a referendum in 2011 on whether to split off as an independent country.

(ST)

NBGS governor vows to support Bashir in upcoming election

Tuesday 9 March 2010

By Ngor Arol Garang

March 8, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The incumbent governor of the Southern state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Paul Malong Awan Anei, vowed on Monday, today, his support to incumbent President Omer Al-Bashir for a win in the upcoming elections.

Addressing a huge crowd that turned out to receive President Bashir and his entourage in Aweil town, Governor Malong urged citizens to give their votes to Bashir so he can fully implement the remaining clauses in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

"You cannot remove a captain sailing the ship in the middle of the sea because of differences, no?" the governor said adding wise people always settle their differences when they think they are out of the dangerous area.

However, the local population including intellectuals instantly criticized governor’s remark saying it contradicts his previous statement pledging support to the SPLM national presidential candidate, Yasir Saeed Arman.

"What happened to Mr. Governor that he acted swiftly to vow his support to a presidential candidate from another political party than a candidate from his own party?" asked Honorable Deng Athian.

"I thought he is an SPLM official nominee who should be mobilizing support to a candidate from his party as he previously told the gathering at launching rally of his electoral campaign," said Garang Aguer Kuol, an intellectual from the area who attended the reception rally of President Bashir.

Addressing the crowd, President Bashir said he recognized the suffering of Mading Aweil and that he will put more efforts into raising the standard of living by building roads, more educational facilities, opening more health units and staffing them with good medical practitioners from Khartoum under the central government’s budget.

He also pledged an university to the population, agricultural machinery to support growth of an Aweil rice scheme as well as funds for construction of power supply and electrification of Aweil town and county headquarters.

Bashir further reiterated his position to recognize the referendum result if it comes out in favor of secession. "I will be the first to recognize and join brothers in the south in celebrating the referendum result because it is the people’s choice. I promise you that nobody in my government will dictate your choice if the referendum result comes out in favor of secession," he said. Bashir said, however, that unity would bring more economic growth than secession.

(ST)

my issues with Arman do not end with secularism.

And I suppose he cares about all those grudges you hold against him, oh please.

The SPLM's political weight lyes with the South with out the South the SPLM will just be a fringe party in Sudan

:blahblah: Fringe party or not......all that will count is whether they are keeping the flame of liberation alive. "It is not how you start but how you finish that matters", they say. SPLM's humble beginnings compare to its current position is a testimony to that.

90% of his marginal support in the North are from Southerner's who will no longer becitizens of Sudan after 2011, in any case what makes you think the NCP will dissapear from the South after 2011?

Emmm! I don't remember thinking that, but since you mentioned it. A lot of NCP members have already switched sides.......So I would not be surprised if the remaining bunch follows suit come referendum.

BTW, Even though NCP continue to exist in South........One have to be mother of all dummies to bet on them pushing for Shariah Law in South.

S.Sudan: Security Forces For Upcoming Election

March 08, 2010 (JUBA)-Police of the semi autonomous regional government of South Sudan has reiterated assurance to maintain impartiality to all political parties in the upcoming elections.

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Talking to the Press in Juba, Inspector General of the Southern Sudan Police Service (SSPS), Gen. Acuil Tito Madut, said police forces will maintain impartiality to any political parties in the forthcoming elections adding any act associated with biasness would not be tolerated.

Gen. Madut assured citizens that south Sudan police will serve them diligently in spite of the many challenges it faces. According to him, some of the challenges police forces face across the region and particularly Juba, include poor payment, inadequate facilities, inadequate budget, and poor training, among others.
He elaborated that a constable, for example gets 13 SDP a month as house allowance which is grossly inadequate especially in Juba and other major urban centers.

“We are trying to accommodate all these within its budgetary allocation but security is very expensive, especially in places coming out of war where security remains greater challenge all the time,” he said.

However, the police general revealed that the government is in the process of establishing a police academy in Juba to facilitate better training for the members of the force, especially the former Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) combatants who form three-quarters of the SSPS.

“The former SPLA combatants currently observed into police service need to be transformed from military mentality to a friendly police force capable of serving Southern Sudan with dignity and discipline.” He also added that the force needs language training to facilitate migration from Arabic or English platform.

The Inspector General reportedly stated that security has improved and other law enforcement agencies in the region will sustain this recorded development.

He also admitted that general arms search operations conducted in Juba was abused by some elements in south Sudan police to harass and loot from the public.

“This is irresponsible behavior and it is not an act of professional police,” he said assuring public that it will never be allowed to happen again disclosing that the searches have also been suspended until these concerns are addressed adequately.

He urged all political parties and candidates contesting in the upcoming elections to maintain peace stressing that Southern Sudan is tired of war and that parties and individuals with security concerns should get in touch with his office for immediate attentions.

And I suppose he cares about all those grudges you hold against him, oh please.




I don't care what he thinks of my contempt for him, but the fact is that the vast vast majority of those in the North are opposed to your vassal.

Emmm! I don't remember thinking that, but since you mentioned it. A lot of NCP members have already switched sides.......So I would not be surprised if the remaining bunch follows suit come referendum.

BTW, Even though NCP continue to exist in South........One have to be mother of all dummies to bet on them pushing for Shariah Law in South.

The movement has not been one way there have been many SPLM members who have defected to the NCP. In any case the NCP will continue to be a major force after 2011. When have the NCP said they want sharia in the South, they have said that they want to keep sharia in the North.

I don't care what he thinks of my contempt for him, but the fact is that the vast vast majority of those in the North are opposed to your vassal.

Whatever your perceptions of him are, he believes in something and he have been and will continue to fight for it......and that is what matters.

The movement has not been one way there have been many SPLM members who have defected to the NCP.

Well, I was referring particularly to the situation in South and here are few examples.

Aweil community celebrates defection of NCP members to SPLM

Sunday 24 June 2007

June 23, 2007 (JUBA) — Aweil community in Juba has celebrated the defection of two-hundred and sixteen members of the National Congress Party (NCP) to the SPLM party in Northern Bhar El-Ghazal State on 30 May.

The Aweil community in Juba, which is affiliated to the SPLM party organized a welcoming ceremony to this group on 17 June, at Nile Comfort Hotel, in Juba.

The former Minister of Finance, Government of Southern Sudan, Arthur Akwein, stated during the ceremony that their defection from NCP party to SPLM is a great achievement for SPLM and a loss to NCP. He says the welcoming ceremony was organized at community level and it is up to the SPLM as a party to organize their own ceremony in honour of the large number of the defectors.

However, Ayaga Garang Deng Nyang, one of the intellectuals of the Aweil community, says Dhieu Mathok, (who heads the defecting group) and his group joining SPLM, are welcomed into the Aweil community but not SPLM until they proved themselves genuine members of the party.

In response, Dhieu stated that their Joining of the party is completely genuine and already accepted by the SPLM leadership under Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, James Wani Igga, told the Aweil community that SPLM is the only political party that all the southerners and other marginalized groups in Sudan have hope in.

"But we can only bring changes if we the southerners are united, and forget of our political differences," says Wani Igga. He further says that he is very happy with the decision taken by greater Aweil community to organize such a gathering to welcome the defecting NCP members.


NCP members in Warrap defect to South Sudan ruling party

By Ngor Arol Garang

August 13, 2009 (KADUGLI) – Some one hundred and twenty members of National Congress Party from Warrap State defected from the National Congress Party (NCP) and joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Abur Chol, a NCP chairperson and Lino Majok Achien, Secretary for popular and syndicate organization, confirmed their resignation from NCP to SPLM state secretariats.

"The NCP office is closed down because we have gone away with all members of the National Congress Party in the State. No one is left. All our youth and women have come with us," said Abur.

Abur Chol, while addressing reporters at a press conference in Kuajok town, state capital of Warrap, called upon NCP supporters across the country to quickly join the SPLM before elections saying "National Congress Party is sick and its recovery is next to impossible."

The group accused NCP of having neglected Southern Sector saying NCP head office in Khartoum does not consider Southerners as equal members of the same political party hence demoralized most members from the South.

Similarly, Lino Majok, a secretary for syndicate organization added that his defection into SPLM as former member of NCP was necessitated by continuous NCP defiance and denial acts toward southern population in term of development, stability and lack of CPA implementation.

"Today South is engaged in tribal war supported by NCP and as a southerner, I do not have a reason to support a party against the interest of my own people," he said.

The groups expressed willingness to loyally serve and support SPLM with their acquired skills from NCP to moderate and modernize SPLM from the grass root to the higher level.

They also regretted their 9 years serving as NCP members with hope for change after having abandoned what they described as their poor beloved South for no good reasons.

At the same press conference, Alessio Makuc Makuc, Warrap State SPLM Secretary general, welcomed the joining group and argued them to use the same capability they used to manage NCP at the state level as members of SPLM.


This has been going on since the signing of peace in 2005 and even before that. Since you said it has been two way traffic.....don't hesitate to educate me about those 'many SPLM members' defecting to NCP in the South.


In any case the NCP will continue to be a major force after 2011.

We will see about that..

When have the NCP said they want sharia in the South, they have said that they want to keep sharia in the North

Dude, my argument has been that SPLM in the North will continue to fight for secularism even after South secession. I don't remember commenting on future of NCP in the South prior to this.

in any case what makes you think the NCP will dissapear from the South after 2011?

I thought the above statement was somehow your attempt to counter my argument. You know, you saying that NCP will also be in South promoting its agendas [for which Shariah is one].....and all that.

Hello! This back and forth started with your comment on Bashir's pledge for Islamic Sudan, remember?

again your adopting a straw man fallacy, I never said Bashir pledged an islamic Sudan. Al bashir said shareah should remain in the north, he never said he wanted to implement it in the South.

Whatever your perceptions of him are, he believes in something and he have been and will continue to fight for it......and that is what matters.

and what is that exactly? do you want to tell s about the prosperity the SPLM has brought the South:lol:

^^ Judging by your responses, I doubt if you even listen to yourself let alone understands what you are commenting on. Well, :goodbye:

Sudan’s electoral board welcomes 50 EU observers to monitor polls

Wednesday 10 March 2010

March 9, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The National Elections Commission (NEC) chief Abel Alier met today with Veronique De Keyser, the head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Sudan.



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Veronique De Keyser, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Sudan

The NEC deputy Abdallah Ahmed Abdallah said that the meeting tackled joint cooperation between the two sides and that De Keyser and her delegation listened to a detailed briefing on the preparation for the elections and the phases completed so far.

Abdallah said that the EU EOM chief observer will stay in Sudan till next Friday and will return to join her team in the last stages of the elections.

On Thursday the EU EOM will officially launch the mission during a press conference in the Sudanese capital.

Last month, the EU announced that the 130-strong mission will be the largest in the history of the European bloc.

The elections are taking place as part of a 2005 agreement between the Muslim north and largely Christian and animist south that ended a 22-year civil war.

The Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) also allowed the creation of a semi-autonomous government for the south and paved the way for a referendum on southern independence scheduled for January 2011.

The first multi-party presidential, regional and legislative elections in the country since 1986 will take place from April 11-18.

Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that the EU EOM should consider the impact of ongoing human rights abuses and insecurity on the elections process.

“EU observers should look at entire human rights situation and how it is affecting the elections environment,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “They need to look at the overall picture to do the job right”.

Opposition threatened to boycott the elections accusing the electoral commission and the government of working to curtail campaigning and breaching the election law in favor of the NCP.

Furthermore, the letter highlighted the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) outstanding warrant against Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir for war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur.

“Al-Bashir is a wanted man who needs to answer to charges of heinous crimes at the ICC,” Gagnon said. “EU silence on this issue risks tacitly endorsing Khartoum’s total obstruction of justice for atrocities against Darfuris.”

Analysts say that the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) desperately seeking the elections to legitimize the rule of Bashir in face of the warrant.

(ST)

^^ Judging by your responses, I doubt if you even listen to yourself let alone understands what you are commenting on. Well, :goodbye:

do you want to tell us of the development the splm has brought to the South, Juba still doesn't have running water, when in 2005 it was promising highways and bridges.

Kitayabi plz do not talk in the name of all the north, isn't it enough that you NCP supporters are the main reason Sudan will be split to two countries? you just want to impose your Arabo-Islamic culture on everyone else
just remember there is copts,Fur,Nubians and all different other cultures and ethnicities in northern Sudan and it won't end with the separation of the South

Down Down NCP, you've been Screwing with the Sudanese people and their mind for 20 yrs now,it's time for NCP to go.

Yassir Arman all the way for new Sudan
Yassir Arman all the way for Unity

Kitayabi plz do not talk in the name of all the north, isn't it enough that you NCP supporters are the main reason Sudan will be split to two countries? you just want to impose your Arabo-Islamic culture on everyone else
just remember there is copts,Fur,Nubians and all different other cultures and ethnicities in northern Sudan and it won't end with the separation of the South

Down Down NCP, you've been Screwing with the Sudanese people and their mind for 20 yrs now,it's time for NCP to go.

Yassir Arman all the way for new Sudan
Yassir Arman all the way for Unity

I have never claimed to speak in the name of all Northerners, but yasir arman is opposed by the vast majority of Northerners and that will be proven shortly.
Also you seem to be contradicting your self you claim the NCP is the reason why the South will split but then go on to say yassir arman will guarantee unity.
and do not attempt to put words in my mouth, when exactly have I said I wanted to see the imposition of Islamic culture on non muslims.

and if you think yassir arman will mean unity then you are deluding your self.

if your referring to yassir arman we disowned him years ago:ohno:

???
Who said that?

and about the Islamic culture i didn't mean U KITAYABI, I meant U NCP ppl...
and I am not contradicting myself, your harsh and biased policies against the south was a major reason they want out of Sudan. And Yassir Arman will guarantee unity because our brothers in the south know what he has done for them and he together with Salva Kiir and other SPLM leaders will work hand by hand so there will be no reason for them to choose independence

and about the Islamic culture i didn't mean U KITAYABI, I meant U NCP ppl...
and I am not contradicting myself, your harsh and biased policies against the south was a major reason they want out of Sudan. And Yassir Arman will guarantee unity because our brothers in the south know what he has done for them and he together with Salva Kiir and other SPLM leaders will work hand by hand so there will be no reason for them to choose independence

yassir arman is intended as a vassal to keep the North in check when the South separates, which it will. If there was any intention for unity they would have chosen Silva kiir to run.

..
and I am not contradicting myself, your harsh and biased policies against the south was a major reason they want out of Sudan. And Yassir Arman will

harsh policies? the South has been self governing for the past 6 years. Its not like the North hasn't made enough compromises to the South. There is simply no merit in unity.

Nope.SPLM chose Yassir Arman because they know most northern Sudanese won't vote for a non-muslim and some won't even vote for a muslim southerner.
and it'd be really stupid if SPLM supported separation over unity when Arman wins. coz they will have all Sudan theirs, why would they choose to separate then??
Face it bro.!! the only way Sudan will separate is if NCP won the elections, you just won't admit this,ha?

Nope.SPLM chose Yassir Arman because they know most northern Sudanese won't vote for a non-muslim and some won't even vote for a muslim southerner.
and it'd be really stupid if SPLM supported separation over unity when Arman wins. coz they will have all Sudan theirs, why would they choose to separate then??
Face it bro.!! the only way Sudan will separate is if NCP won the elections, you just won't admit this,ha?

I wont admit it because its not true, the South will divide regardless. If there was any intention for unity silva kiir would have been elected. I don't invisage a situation where arman would be silva's both and neither does silva.

http://i47.************/2mo60pz.jpg


notice anything about this election rally in Khartoum?

and btw I don't wanna argue with you anymore coz I only visit this website to escape from the painful reality of living in Sudan while you sit there studying in UK and bragging about NCP and bullshit. I guess you should have studied in our lousy universities but you know NCP f***ed up education in Sudan. and you want to study in the best college you can.
then guess what? 95 of the sudanese people just can't afford it and they have to settle for the worst education even if the scored 90% :s

and btw I don't wanna argue with you anymore coz I only visit this website to escape from the painful reality of living in Sudan while you sit there studying in UK and bragging about NCP and bullshit. I guess you should have studied in our lousy universities but you know NCP f***ed up education in Sudan. and you want to study in the best college you can.
then guess what? 95 of the sudanese people just can't afford it and they have to settle for the worst education even if the scored 90% :s

you have access to internet at home and command of the English language, it doesn't exactly seem like you have it that hard.

well too bad for you
How about this picture taken by ME unlike urs
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/7347/sdc11921.jpg

and this one
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/125/sdc11936.jpg

then guess what? 95 of the sudanese people just can't afford it and they have to settle for the worst education even if the scored 90% :s

and I ain't one of those rich unity kids that was sent to study abroad for thousands and thousands of pounds like you seem to presume.

and I ain't one of those rich unity kids that was sent to study abroad for thousands and thousands of pounds like you seem to presume.

I hav nothing against the rich dude, as long as ur dad isn't one of those NCP thieves. am just saying that u know how awful higher education in Sudan became in NCP era

lool,ya.Al7amdulillah. and no thanks to NCP. it's because my dad worked his ass off outside Sudan for 20 yrs to get us proper life. and the english is because my mom taught me well at home when i was a kid, Do u really think that lousy SPINE course can produce someone who can speak proper english?
i wonder then why am i looked at by my friends as a god in english although we all went to the best university in Sudan and?
my poor dad he thought UofK is still the great college he went to in the 1970's. and now look at his son unemployed. and had the worst education ever!

What 200 or so people in a tent to launch your campaign, al bashir launched his campaign with 50,000 attendees

http://sudanah.com/uploads_user/1000/58/935.jpg


http://sudanah.com/uploads_user/1000/58/936.jpg

http://sudanah.com/uploads_user/1000/58/937.jpg

heey,it's not a competition here,I only showed u the pics to prove that not only southern sudanese r supporting SPLM n Arman
plus Albashir and his fellows are using the government's resources. recruiting kids and government workers. yet I can't argue with the fact that for some reason the guy does hav a valuable no. of supporters b he stands a good chance of winning but that doesn't make him a good candidate and doesn't change the fact that NCP is the most ideologically and practically corrupt party on the planet!!

lool,ya.Al7amdulillah. and no thanks to NCP. it's because my dad worked his ass off outside Sudan for 20 yrs to get us proper life. and the english is because my mom taught me well at home when i was a kid, Do u really think that lousy SPINE course can produce someone who can speak proper english?
i wonder then why am i looked at by my friends as a god in english although we all went to the best university in Sudan and?
my poor dad he thought UofK is still the great college he went to in the 1970's. and now look at his son unemployed. and had the worst education ever!

200,000 students a year get an opportunity to go to university in my fathers day it was less than 8,000. University was then something for either the rich or the very clever. It was my dads and your dads Sudanese education that insured mine and your fortunate position. And in fact a Sudanese degree does have some weight my older brother a graduate of Sudan university is a well paid Engineer in the UAE. So you can't blame your unemployment on Al bashir because I know many who hav found good jobs in and out side Sudan with Sudanese degrees.

I hav nothing against the rich dude, as long as ur dad isn't one of those NCP thieves. am just saying that u know how awful higher education in Sudan became in NCP era

Off course any one who shows any support for the NCP has to be in their pay. Whether the NCP get elected or not it has no bearing on mine or my parents finances. My support for the NCP is because of the improvements they've made in Sudan. I can list so many achievements for the NCP but you will struggle to list any achievments for the SPLM in the South. The South looks no better then during the war days.

200,000 students a year get an opportunity to go to university in my fathers day it was less than 8,000. University was then something for either the rich or the very clever. It was my dads and your dads Sudanese education that insured mine and your fortunate position. And in fact a Sudanese degree does have some weight my older brother a graduate of Sudan university is a well paid Engineer in the UAE. So you can't blame your unemployment on Al bashir because I know many who hav found good jobs in and out side Sudan with Sudanese degrees.

Do u even listen to urself??
ur brother works in UAE not in SUDAN,so do you want all sudan to migrate n get jobs abroad? and I SHOULD blame my unemployment on Albashir bcoz that's what government does. it employs graduates!! don't they do that in UK?
here u can't find jobs unless u're an NCP affiliate. they actually ask u that in every single job interview for god's sake.
yes the number of college grads. has increased exponentially but hav u seen what they study? they're waaaaaay worse than high school grads. in the 1970's or 80's.

hey listen,this just ruins my mood and am stopping right here,ok?
no heart feelings n hope u make Sudan proud of u out there ;)

heey,it's not a competition here,I only showed u the pics to prove that not only southern sudanese r supporting SPLM n Arman
plus Albashir and his fellows are using the government's resources. recruiting kids and government workers. yet I can't argue with the fact that for some reason the guy does hav a valuable no. of supporters b he stands a good chance of winning but that doesn't make him a good candidate and doesn't change the fact that NCP is the most ideologically and practically corrupt party on the planet!!

oh so now it isn't a competition :lol:
Ask your self why he is so popular in Sudan? you paint a rosy picture of Sudan before al bashir but you fail to mention the bread ques that started at 5 am in the morning the Sugar rationing the crippling levels of unemployment, the 24 hour black outs. Even until the early 90's people used to buy tomato puree by the spoonful, and you ask why he is so popular?

Do u even listen to urself??
ur brother works in UAE not in SUDAN,so do you want all sudan to migrate n get jobs abroad? and I SHOULD blame my unemployment on Albashir bcoz that's what government does. it employs graduates!! don't they do that in UK?
here u can't find jobs unless u're an NCP affiliate. they actually ask u that in every single job interview for god's sake.
yes the number of college grads. has increased exponentially but hav u seen what they study? they're waaaaaay worse than high school grads. in the 1970's or 80's.

hey listen,this just ruins my mood and am stopping right here,ok?
no heart feelings n hope u make Sudan proud of u out there ;)

good night

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article34379

N. Bahr el Ghazal fires 22 employees over their election views
Thursday 11 March 2010
By Ngor Arol Garang

March 10,2010 (KHARTOUM) — Authorities from the southern state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal have fired 22 state government employees in different locations from Aweil West County over allegations that they are supporters of the independent candidates contesting the upcoming elections against official nominees of the state’s ruling party, the SPLM.

Commissioner of Aweil West County Riak Wol Atuer, who is a former minister of finance, is said to have suspended the salaries of 19 teachers and three health workers because they are supporting independent candidates. According to a list of names obtained by Sudan Tribune, the majority of the affected officials come from Ayat and Majakbai constituency. A few others come from Gomjuer.

Simon Kuot Kuot, a supporter of an independent candidate in the area, said the affected officials brought their plight to his attention yesterday questioning the rationale behind the suspension of their salaries when the salaries of those who support NCP and other political parties headed by personalities known to have strong links with NCP have not been suspended. According to him, most of people in the constituency are supporting the independent candidates because the selection made by the state SPLM electoral college did not reflect their choice.

Senior officials in the state Ministry of Education, asked whether the decision leading to the suspension of the officials’ salaries could be due to an administrative reason, responded that the mass suspension of salaries cannot be due to an administrative reason. James Akol Dut Awan, one of the affected teachers, reportedly told Mr. Kuot that they were threatened by the commissioner to dissociate themselves with independent candidates or face dire consequences which might include loss of life.

Mr. Awan, who is the head teacher of Maluil primary school, said he fears for his life and that he would prefer handing himself to the United Nations Mission in Sudan at Aweil for security saying the commissioner has received instructions from state authorities to arrest without investigation.

:cheers:

Well, I was referring particularly to the situation in South and here are few examples.







This has been going on since the signing of peace in 2005 and even before that. Since you said it has been two way traffic.....don't hesitate to educate me about those 'many SPLM members' defecting to NCP in the South.




We will see about that..



Dude, my argument has been that SPLM in the North will continue to fight for secularism even after South secession. I don't remember commenting on future of NCP in the South prior to this.



I thought the above statement was somehow your attempt to counter my argument. You know, you saying that NCP will also be in South promoting its agendas [for which Shariah is one].....and all that.

Hello! This back and forth started with your comment on Bashir's pledge for Islamic Sudan, remember?

:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious

and about the Islamic culture i didn't mean U KITAYABI, I meant U NCP ppl...
and I am not contradicting myself, your harsh and biased policies against the south was a major reason they want out of Sudan. And Yassir Arman will guarantee unity because our brothers in the south know what he has done for them and he together with Salva Kiir and other SPLM leaders will work hand by hand so there will be no reason for them to choose independence

:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious

Kitayabi:

Mate, you need to be awarded the Medal of Honour for speaking on behalf of the majority of Northern Sudanese, the rich, the poor, the Unity High School Graduates, and the Al-3arda graduates.

I honestly have no idea how you managed to keep up with those two dudes, the confused northern Sudanese, and this other chief...whatever!

Mind you, the problem is not Mr. chief..., because once this dude gets his country, we will finally be able to have some peace. Although Southerners do not want to believe it, but it is almost a certainty that South Sudan will redefine the indexes of failed states, human development and poverty. Anyway, it doesn't really bother me that much!

What I see as the problem is people like Wael, who astonishingly still believe that Yassir Arman is a worthy candidate of leading Sudan. I honestly do not have the energy to dwell onto this. But this makes me question whether this dude Wael actually knows anything about Northern Sudanese, his own people if I may say (if he is from the North anyway)!
Because the majority of those who had tough life in Sudan have now turned into a hardcore supporters of NCP. This is mainly because of all the reasons Kitayabi listed, in other words development since 2005 onwards!
Those who don't support the NCP are either people who reside outside Sudan and have it easy (you often find them commenting on Sudaneseonline.com), or those hardcore Umma Party, DUP supporters, Communists (very few) and Darfuris. The rest of Northern Sudanese who support Yassir Arman are mostly those who are spending all their evenings in Ozone in Khartoum smoking weed - no offence!

But the true Muhamasheen in Northern Sudan will be voting NCP, mark my words!

I find all this tiring. But what I find even more tiring and frustrating are Southern Sudanese. I have honestly had enough of these people.

you know Badro in the 1985 Nemiri made a speech about the economic crisis he urged those
who ate two meals a day to eat one those who ate one meal to eat half a meal to save the country money. this economic situation continued in to the early 90's I remember passing by the time during black outs by sitting on the balcony and counting the vehicles that drove by. Now my Cousin a primary school teacher with no links to the Government what so ever owns her own car. Only a decade and a half ago this was unimaginable.
and they want to replace this Government with a Government that in its 6 years in power in the South has only managed to contribute a a sub standard beer factory to the South.

Arman launches election campaign in Unity state

Friday 12 March 2010

By James Gatdet Dak

March 12, 2010 (JUBA) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) candidate for the position of the President of the Republic of Sudan, Yasir Saeed Arman, launched his campaign on Wednesday in Bentiu, the capital of the oil rich Unity state.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9393/60699340.jpg

A supporter holds a poster of SPLM presidential candidate Yasir Arman at Khartoum airport January 21, 2010 (Reuters)

Thousands of supporters crowded Bentiu Football Stadium chanting the slogans of the party as the Congolese famous musician, Kanda Bongoman, and local artist, Duop Pur, took to the stage with rhythm.

Arman told the crowd that if elected president of Sudan he would make sure that there is no return to war between Khartoum and Juba over the issue of self-determination.

Arman who seemed to directly respond to the concerns of southerners on his stance over separation added that the issue would democratically be determined through the exercise of referendum by the people of Southern Sudan in January 2011.

The incumbent President of Sudan, Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, earlier declared during the CPA celebration in Yambio, Western Equatoria state, that he would be the first to recognize independence of the South if southerners voted for it in the referendum.

Arman however pointed out that if elected he would also work to change the separation mindset of southerners through radical changes in the present Khartoum system that would make unity attractive.

Arman’s launch of election campaign in Bentiu also coincided with the launch of election on the same day in Bentiu by the leader of the breakaway Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin.

Dr. Lam Akol is also scheduled to launch his campaign on Saturday in the Southern Sudan’s capital, Juba.

Angelina Teny, the current state minister of Energy and Mining in the Government of National Unity, and independent candidate for governorship of Unity state, also held a big rally attended by thousands of citizens on the same day where she addressed Women’s Day as the Guest of Honor.

Incumbent President Al-Bashir and National Congress Party (NCP) candidate against Yasir Arman and other ten candidates this week campaigned in the states of Greater Bahr el Ghazal region, making seven the Southern Sudan states he has covered in his campaign.

The incumbent President of the semi-autonomous region of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, is also expected to carry out election campaign in Upper Nile and Jonglei states beginning on Friday.

Sudan’s general elections are scheduled to take place on April 11, exactly 30 days from now.

Southern Kordufan state has boycotted the state elections and will only conduct national elections until issues over the population census results are addressed in the state. Abyei will not also participate in the elections and may organize a separate election after the general elections.

Darfur is also uncertain about conducting a comprehensive election in the troubled region unless a peace deal is reached between the government and the rebels.

If successfully conducted by the other parts of Sudan the 2010 elections will be the first and nearly comprehensive general elections for more than twenty years.

(ST)

SPLM’s Ito challenges political parties allocate top seats to women

Friday 12 March 2010

By Ngor Arol Garang

March 11,2010 (KHARTOUM) – Dr. Anne Ito, Deputy SPLM Secretary General for southern Sector, , challenged other political parties to include women in top seats saying her party has already a policy encouraging more women participate in the 2010 general elections.

Opening women association meeting in Juba at Sunflower Hotel, the official urged that her party, being the ruling party in southern Sudan attaches importance to issues affecting women because of their hard work.

Commenting on remarks by GOSS President Salva Kiir who had earlier urged political parties to support more women in the 2010 elections as a way of attaining gender parity, Dr. Ito said the SPLM is already encouraging women to be active in politics.

She said recognition of International Women’s Day by President Salva Kiir and members of his government serve as an indication that women are valued and appreciated. Most countries have not declared Women’s Day as a public holiday and that South Sudan is among the few region that have done so shows that the SPLM government values women, Ito said

She advised women to make themselves available to take up political positions saying it is very difficult for political leaders to impose leadership on women who cannot make themselves available or show willingness to take up party positions.

She called on political parties to field more women in the forthcoming elections stressing women should be commended by all political parties which value the work of women. Women play an important role in issues affecting the nation and that it is imperative to have them in politics.

"Our party is expected to elect number of women whom we think can contribute to national development," she said adding majority of registered voters in region are women and encouraging them participate in elections should be seen as a priority. She said in conclusion that inclusion of more women in politics will help in promoting good governance.

(ST)

EU kicks off its Sudan election monitoring mission

Friday 12 March 2010

March 11, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The European Union (EU) formally inaugurated its Election Observation Mission to Sudan (EU EOM) vowing to diligently monitor the process for any irregularities or fraud.

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5189/91288024.jpg

The European Union’s chief elections observer Veronique De Keyser addresses a news conference in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, March 11, 2010 (Reuters)

“We will draw our conclusions not only from observation, but from the tendency in a place and from a strict observation of the data,” EU EOM chief Veronique De Keyser said today in a press conference in the Sudanese capital.

“We have a lot of confidence in our conclusions from a statistical point of view... We will be very strict, sticking to the facts and being vigilant about whatever could happen during the electoral process” she added.

The mission is comprised of 130 observers from 22 different EU countries, as well as Norway, Switzerland and Canada and they will be deployed to all of the 25 states and will meet government and electoral officials, candidates and representatives from political parties, and with civil society and the media.

Last month, the EU announced that the mission will be the largest in the history of the European bloc.

EU EOM said in a statement that they will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process “based on a long-term observation and a methodology developed by the EU over many years”

“This analysis will include aspects such as the legal framework, the work of the election administration, the role of State institutions and civil society, the campaign activities, the conduct of the media, the voting and the counting, the complaints and appeals process and the announcement of the results”.

Despite this De Keyser cautioned that EU WOM work has its limitations.

“It is obvious we cannot cover each voting centre,” the EU mission’s chief observer said.

“The EU mission will coordinate its work with the Carter Foundation, another international body authorized to observe the Sudanese electoral process, but its conclusions would remain independent,” she added.

De Keyser also expressed concern over the lack of voter awareness.

“If the people don’t understand really what is the meaning of the vote this could be for me at least the major trap, the major pitfall," she said.

“And it’s difficult because ... some people have never voted,” she said, stressing this was not deliberate and that the EU has pledged money for voter education.

The elections are taking place as part of a 2005 agreement between the Muslim north and largely Christian and animist south that ended a 22-year civil war.

The Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) also allowed the creation of a semi-autonomous government for the south and paved the way for a referendum on southern independence scheduled for January 2011.

The first multi-party presidential, regional and legislative elections in the country since 1986 will take place from April 11-18.

Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that the EU EOM should consider the impact of ongoing human rights abuses and insecurity on the elections process.

“EU observers should look at entire human rights situation and how it is affecting the elections environment,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “They need to look at the overall picture to do the job right”.

Furthermore, the letter highlighted the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) outstanding warrant against Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir for war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur.

“Al-Bashir is a wanted man who needs to answer to charges of heinous crimes at the ICC,” Gagnon said. “EU silence on this issue risks tacitly endorsing Khartoum’s total obstruction of justice for atrocities against Darfuris.”

However, De Keyser said it was not the role of the EU mission to interfere in Sudanese politics.

(ST)

:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious

What? :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

Kitayabi:I find all this tiring. But what I find even more tiring and frustrating are Southern Sudanese. I have honestly had enough of these people.

Oh please!!!!!!!!! Don't flatter yourself. We had had enough of you looonnggg time ago.

Oh please!!!!!!!!! Don't flatter yourself. We had had enough of you looonnggg time ago.

I'm glad mate...

Election Delay Manouver

March 13, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — A number of presidential candidates in Sudan has jointly called on the April elections to be postponed by seven months till next November and submitted a proposed formation for the National elections committee (NEC).

The Umma Party runner for president Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi hosted a meeting at his residence in Omdurman agreed on steps that need to be taken for achieving democratic transformation and establishing an “impartial” board to monitor the work of the NEC in terms of administration and finances, creating a body consisting of presidential nominees with rotating head, rescheduling elections to resolve a number outstanding issues.

The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) representative at the summit Ibrahim Ghandour promised to convey the demands to president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir and arrange a meeting with them to discuss their requests.

Absent from the meeting were the candidates from the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) Yasir Arman, Democratic Unionist Party Hatim Al-Sir, Sudan Communist Party Mohamed Ibrahim Nugud. It was not immediately clear why they did not attend.

The participants also called for the neutrality of the state media, protecting the candidates. enabling parties to address uniformed forces in their barracks, providing access to transportation and telecommunications and funding parties.

They also proposed that the NEC monitoring commission to be composed of Amin Mekki Madani, Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil, Al-Tigani Al-Karib, Ibrahim Moniem Mansour, Ambroze Rung, Abdel-Rahman Abdu, Mustafa Majak and Lual Deng.

The parties also expressed concern over alleged switching the process of printing voting slips from abroad to presses inside Sudan that belong to the NCP — a move they would lead to duplicate papers and ballot box stuffing.

The Umma Reform and Renewal Party (URRP) leader Mubarak Al-Fadil said in a statement that the NEC acknowledged this with the consent of Ray Kennedy, Chief Electoral Affairs Officer for the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

“This requires investigation from the UN Secretary General on the actions of the UN official and his contribution towards fraud. We will submit a complaint to the UN Secretary General based on the response of the [NEC] commission memo”

Last week, the opposition parties submitted a memorandum of protest regarding reforming the rules set by the commission on the campaigning. he parties say that new rules published by the NEC meant that they have to give 72 hours notice for rallies held inside their own party premises — and had to ask police for permission to meet outside. It also brought up the issue of the voting slips.

The NEC dismissed the memo in a formal response asserting its a neutral body counting an example where the government asked for breaking up the elections but they rejected it and when they overruled NCP challenges on drawing geographical constituencies.

The commission said a bid for printing the voting slips was advertised and two Sudanese companies secured it and that due to time constraints one set of the cards was diverted from a Slovenian company to a Sudanese one stressing that at each step this process was made with the participation of UNMIS elections office.

Lam Akol launches his campaign for South Sudan president in Juba

Juba, The leader of Sudan People Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Dr. Lam Akol, started his bid for presidency of South Sudan on Saturday. Speaking to residents of Juba, Akol promised South Sudan across the board change.

He told the crowd that the Government of South Sudan has failed to either fight the rampant corruption or stamp out inter-tribal feuds.

Akol sees himself as a new breed in South Sudanese politics, however, many South Sudanese see him as an opportunist funded by Beshir party to wreck havoc in the South. He’s always denied any funding from National Congress Party (NCP).

Having split from SPLM twice, Akol sees himself as a knowledged insider who can bring South Sudan fresh and clean politics.

“Corruption has defeated people in the government. That is why it needs new people,” he told Juba residents on Saturday.

However, Akol’s endorsement of Omar Al-Beshir for the presidency of Sudan and his then closeness to NCP and evangelism of NCP’s policies during his time as a foreign minister have aroused distrust of his promises. He is seen as an opportunist despite the truth of his words.

South Sudanese are tired of corruption and tribal fightings. While many see these issues as the right things expected from the candidates, Akol’s critics don’t believe he is the person to bring them.

His role in 1991 break together with his performances as Sudan’s foreign minister stamped the sentiment that Akol has never been a voice for South Sudanese course. This sentiment has let to hostility towards SPLM-DC supporters. SPLM-DC accuses SPLM supporters of political intimidations and assassinations. This is a charge SPLM denies.

While Akol’s party activities are largely localized to Khartoum, his campaign in the South, while not substantial in terms of his chances, it is a welcome news for democratic atmosphere in South Sudan.

Two Sudanese newspapers questioned over insults to president Bashir

Tuesday 16 March 2010

March 15, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese authorities have summoned editors from two pro-opposition papers, accusing them of insulting President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who is running in April’s first multi-party polls in 24 years, the publications told Reuters said on Monday.


The chief editors from the pro-Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) Ajras al-Hurriya and Rai al-Sha’ab newspapers were both questioned by the National Press Council, which accused them of breaking the law and insulting the president, which could carry a penalty of a temporary closure — financially crippling for papers heavily dependent on corporate advertising for revenue.

"They asked us: how can you criticize the president?" said Fayez Al-Sheik Al-Silaik, acting editor in chief of Ajras al-Hurriya, said today.

"They asked us where was our evidence that Bashir had killed 10,000 in Darfur," he added. Bashir has been quoted several times putting the Darfur death toll at 10,000 compared to the U.N. estimate of 300,000 dead.

The pro-Popular Congress Party (PCP) Rai Al-Sha’ab newspaper was questioned over two articles including one saying Bashir should hand himself over to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which last year indicted him for war crimes in Darfur.

The National Press Council said investigations were ongoing after which they will make a decision on the appropriate penalty to be imposed.

"This is a procedure. The committee will first see if there is a violation and after that they will issue a decision," El-Obeid Marawih, secretary-general of the press council, said.

Sudanese authorities cracked down on any voices supporting the ICC indictment of Bashir who said in an interview last week that the arrest warrant has vastly boosted his popularity among the people.

This month the Sudanese state radio blocked the leader of the Umma Party Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi broadcasting his speech which contained mention of Bashir’s ICC indictment. The officials at the radio labeled his message as “inciting prejudices and hatred against the state”.

(ST)

Sudan board partially delays election in South Kordofan

Tuesday 16 March 2010

March 15, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan elections commission postponed partially electoral process in South Kordofan state following an accord reached by the two peace partners.

The postponement concern mainly the elections for governor and the state legislative assembly while the election for the president of the republic and the national parliament will take place as scheduled.

SPLM figure and deputy governor Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu announced last January that their decision to boycott the elections saying the census was partially conducted and that the geographical constituencies were determined unfairly.

Al Hilu slammed the National Elections Committee (NEC) for dismissing the SPLM’s challenge it raised regarding the issues of census and constituencies in South Kordofan.

The NEC said today that the local executive and legislative elections will be conducted within 60 days after the national elections on April 10.

Commenting the decision the governor Ahmed Haroun said the NEC decision to partially postpone the elections in the state comes in line with the need to maintain security political stability in the state.

http://www.ashorooq.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6369&Itemid=24

Sudanese President campaigns in Jonglei
Thursday 18 March 2010
By Philip Thon Aleu

March 17, 2010 (BOR) – President Omar Hassan Al Bashir launched election campaigns on Wednesday in Jonglei starting by Bor town, the State capital, continuing to Pibor and Akobo. He underscored projects funded by Government of National Unity in Jonglei and urged southerners to choose “voluntary” the unity of the Sudan in 2011’s referendum.


President Omer Bashir (C) officially opens Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology in Bor as Gov. Kuol Manyang (L) and Prof. Agrey Ayuen (R) look-on in happiness on March 17, 2010 (Sudan Tribune photo by Philip Thon Aleu)
President Bahsir was received by Jonglei Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk at Bor airstrip and traveled about a kilometer to Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology. Bashir made a symbolic official opening of the State’s sole institution of higher learning by cutting a rope and later declared his support and recognition in a NCP’s campaign rally at Bor Town Freedom Square.

In his first visit to Bor since the north-south hostilities ended with the signing of 2005’s peace accord President Bashir inaugurated town water system. Campaigning in south’s largest state which the Sudan People liberation Movement (SPLM) says is it stronghold, Al Bashir went on to outline unity supported projects in Jonglei including Bor town power station, Dhiam-Dhiam dock construction and Gadiang modern village where the recently cleared road network connecting at least 5 counties stretches.

The State Governor, Kuol Manyang acknowledged contributions made in areas of development by unity support funds and urged "further improvement" in health and education sectors from the government of national unity headed by Al Bashir.

Flanked by Dr. Riek Gai, Bona Malual and Joseph Duer – the NCP hopeful for Jonglei Governorship in this year elections, Al Bashir waved his walking stick and danced to surprise of supporters and citizens seeing him for the first time.

With leopard skin tight around his waist and a white bed sheets along his shoulders president Bashir reiterated his commitment to accepting southerners’ choice in 2011 referendum but lauds a "voluntarily united, Africa’s largest nation." However, says “the final decision for a united Sudan is yours [southerners]."

Alongside the post of governor, NCP candidates are also competing for parliamentary seats in Jonglei including Bor County Geographical Constituency for federal assembly being contested by Maker Thiong Maaal (SPLM) and Achiek Peech (NCP).

The NCP campaign attracted a huge crowd but slightly less than the SPLM latest campaign attended by Salva Kiir Mayardit. A visit and commitment to support Dr. John Garang University, however, boasted Al Bashir’s campaign in Bor town. NCP’s manifestos in the south Sudan campaign claims establishment of every State university.

There were also cheers and hands claps interrupting his campaigning speech as he promised more work in areas of security by developing all season roads in Jonglei State marred by cattle raiding and children abduction in 2009.

An undecided voter and a separatist told the Sudan Tribune that "Omer Bahsir is a good leader but what I doubt is his willingness to allow independent south. He might be seeking votes only."

A NCP disciple said "once there is peace as promised by NCP, there will be development. This is the party object."

Bashir is the National Congress Party’s Sudan presidential candidate for April polls – the first inclusive multiparty elections in the south. Other 11 candidates, including former rebel party, the SPLM nominee, Yasir Arman, are competing with the Sudan incumbent president who took power in a bloodless coup in June 1989.

After Bor town rally that ended at 12pm local time, President Bashir headed for Pibor and will proceed to Akobo for political gatherings.

(ST)

serves Arman right for taking the Southern vote for granted^^

http://news.brunei.fm/2010/03/18/sudan-welcomes-international-observers-to-monitor-upcoming-elections/

Al Bashir recieves the support of the Shilluk king

:cheers:

NEC rejects calls by Carter Center for a slight delay in Sudan elections

March 19, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudan National Elections Committee (NEC) denied any intention to move up the elections in line with an advice from a US based polls watchdog.

"Logistical preparations are straining the limited capacity of the NEC," the Carter Center said in a public statement. "With a series of delays and changes in polling procedures, a minor delay in polling for operational purposes may be required."

The Carter Center said "it is increasingly unclear if the NEC can deliver a successful election on time," citing limited NEC and UN transportation capacity, the massive volume of materials to be deployed, the re-packaging of materials necessitated by changes in the planned number of polling stations, voters per polling station, and delays in ballots production

But Abu-Bakr Waziri a media adviser to the NEC told the pro-government Al-Rayaam newspaper that the newly printed ballots have arrived and on their way to the polling stations.

Waziri said that 31 ton of voting slips arrived at the NEC storage houses in Khartoum and will be distributed in Northern states immediately with tight security. He pointed out that second batch will head to Juba on Friday to be transported to most of Southern states.

The Center’s statement urged the NEC to make a decision as quickly as possible about any delay in the election date "so that all stakeholders have time to adjust plans." Given the onset of the rainy season in Darfur and South Sudan in the months after the April 11 polling date, however, only a minor delay may be possible or advisable.

Opposition parties are widely expected to formally call for moving the elections date till next November citing lack of conducive environment though it is not clear which parties specifically will sign up for this.

They further accused the electoral commission of bias and protested a last minute change in executive posts ballot printing contracts from a Slovenian company to a Sudanese one in a print-house owned by the ruling National Congress party.

The Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) which signed an agreement last month with Khartoum have been pushing for a delay but the government said it is up to the NEC to make that call.
(ST)

Darfur peacekeepers chief expects smooth elections
Associated Press
2010-03-23 02:12 AM
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The head of the U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur says he expects Sudan's elections next month to go smoothly in the war-wracked region, despite fears of violence and calls for the vote's delay.
Ibrahim Gambari said Monday several signs suggest security will be "pretty good" for the April 11 polls. He pointed to an agreement between Sudan and Chad to stop supporting rebels in their respective countries, a general decline in fighting and diminishing rebel control of territories.

However, observers warn that partial cease-fires signed between the government and rebel groups, along with a continuous state of emergency and calls by some rebels to boycott or delay the vote could jeopardize Sudan's first democratic national elections in decades.

Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers

March 22, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir today issued a strong warning to foreign election monitors threatening to expel them if they call for delaying the polls scheduled for April.

The warning appears directed at the US based Carter Center which last week called for a slight delay in elections because of logistical and procedural issues.

The center said Sudan’s first competitive elections since 1986 "remains at risk on multiple fronts" including the ability of candidates to campaign freely and the impact of delayed preparations for the complex vote.

"It is increasingly unclear if the (National Election Commission) can deliver a successful election on time," the report said.

However, Bashir responded angrily with strong rhetoric to the call during an elections rally at the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.

"We brought these organizations from outside to monitor the elections, but if they ask for them to be delayed, we will throw them out........any foreigner or organization that demand the delay of elections will be expelled sooner rather than later " he said.

"We wanted them to see the free and fair elections, but if they interfere in our affairs, we will cut their fingers off, put them under our shoes, and throw them out," he added.

The threat brought back to memory Bashir’s decision last year to expel 13 foreign aid agencies from war stricken Darfur after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on charges of war crimes. He stuck to his decision despite international pressure.

Reuters said that the Center declined to comment until it was able to review the president’s speech.

Sudan is set to stage its first multi-party elections in 24 years from April 11 to 13 as part of a 2005 peace agreement that ended a decades-old civil war between north and south.

Last week 17 opposition parties pushed a memo to the presidency requesting that April elections be postponed until next November in order to allow for major reforms in a number of laws primarily relating national security and media. They gave the government until Thursday to respond positively or else face the possibility of boycotting the elections.

The Sudanese National Elections Commission (NEC) deputy chairman Ahmed Abdullah said "the Carter Center relies on false information that did not come from us," and insisted the elections would take place on April 11 as planned.

"Publishing this information could have a negative impact on the electoral process," he told reporters on Monday.

The opposition has criticized NEC saying it is biased towards the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and turning a blind eye to violations of electoral law.

Mubarak al-Fadil head of the Umma Reform and Renewal Party (URRP) told Reuters the warning made it clear Bashir was worried.

"He [Bashir] is very nervous. He may do it," al-Fadil said.

Observers say the NCP is desperately seeking to acquire legitimacy through the elections in face of the ICC warrant for Bashir.

(ST)

SPLM hopeful of landslide win in elections says official

By Ngor Arol Garang

March 22, 2010 (RENK) — A senior member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, the SPLM, Brigadier General Dok Jok Dok, who doubles as Upper Nile state chairman and deputy governor, expressed hope that his party will win the upcoming April elections.

Dok explained that the elections remove from SPLM the authority to appoint – as has been done for the past five years under the Interim Constitution — and empower the people to elect leaders and representatives of their choice to all institutions of governments.

However, he was quick to caution the electorate to vote wisely saying do not allow your vote to return you to sufferings and slavery that you have lived for decades. "Who of you wants return to internally camps in Khartoum and elsewhere where little attentions were paid?" he posed

He said that he was confident of victory for SPLM. "We in the SPLM particularly in the greater Upper Nile state are hopeful that our rural population will vote in our favor for a landslide victory in the April polls," Dok said

The deputy governor was speaking at the official rally launching SPLM’s campaign in his native county headquarters of Renk where he repeatedly asked citizens vote for Yasir Arman and Salva Kiir in the upcoming elections.

"You are already aware that elections are at the corner, just three weeks from now, and you have already seen many pictures of contestants for various positions including position of your commissioner, Deng Akueny, who is next to me here posted everywhere," he indicated.

"We brought you peace and current developmental projects such as schools and primary health care units now serviceable in some rural areas and we are determined to bring you more as peace means development," the official said.

"We are not people who promise people for elections interests… there are people campaigning now pledging a lot of things which they did not do in the past while they are the same people who have been in the power for decades," he said. He was referring to pledges made by President Bashir who recently visited the state and stayed for three days, visiting Nasir.

In his opening speech at the rally, Commissioner Deng Akueny said SPLM’s policy of both regional and national reconciliation has contributed to creating a society that is in harmony and at peace with itself.

He said to continue on this path, there is need to embrace the different cultures of the country adding that a divided community wastes valuable time in internal wrangles, which can only sap its strength and cause failure.

He also said his party will ensure implementation of agricultural projects such as rice production, aquaculture and grape cultivation. He however said food security cannot be achieved by government alone, but with the involvement of the private sector.

These projects and programmes will only succeed if their implementation is assured jointly by both government and private institutions. He noted that most of the development is in Khartoum and other regions are not government projects alone, but are privately owned projects only regulated by governments.

Earlier Deputy Governor Dok said Sudanese women — particularly those in the war affected regions – had been a great pillar in the struggle for liberation. "Our women have greatly contributed to all sorts of struggle for liberation, without them there would have been no peace today. They acted as logistics carrying our ammunitions on their heads as well as cooking for our soldiers the same time," recalled the SPLM brigadier.

He said therefore the movement will increase women’s share of posts from 25% to 30%. He asked all SPLM nominees and other officials to communicate this message to all people particularly those in the rural villages, emphasizing that women’s representation at the assemblies will this year increase if SPLM wins upcoming national elections.

He also added that SPLM will continue to ensure that the rights and interests of Sudanese women are realized calling Sudanese to promote culture of peace, reconciliation and national unity.

(ST)

SPLM’s Yasir Arman denounces restrictions on his Darfur campaign

KHARTOUM (March 22, 2010) – SPLM candidate for the position of president of the republic Comrade Yassir Saeed Arman has strongly denounced restrictions placed on his elections campaign in Darfur, saying these prevented thousands from attending rallies across the region.


Cde Arman recently concluded a visit of Darfur, as part of his campaign to take the SPLM’s message of “Hope and Change” to the people of this war-ravaged region.

Darfur has been embroiled in conflict since 2003 when rebels took up arms, demanding greater political and economic autonomy for their region.

The conflict has left some 300,000 people dead, according to United Nations estimates (UN), and drove millions away from their homes, with many forced to live as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps all over Darfur.

Cde Arman told reporters on Saturday that security forces used heavy-handed tactics to prevent the bulk of the IDPs from attending his rallies in Darfur.

These included surrounding the camps with tanks, according to a statement released by the SPLM presidential candidate’s campaign team.

In 2005, Khartoum signed a peace deal with a faction of one of the many rebel groups operating in Darfur. Most of the groups, however, refused to sign on.

Cde Arman declared that only the SPLM can bring about a “just and comprehensive solution to the crisis in Darfur,” arguing that the National Congress Party (NCP) of incumbent President Omar El Bashir had “nothing new to offer” to resolve the conflict
(SPLMToday)

Yasir launches campaign in South Sudan

JUBA (March 23, 2010) – SPLM candidate for the position of president of the republic Comrade Yasir Saeed Arman launched his election campaign in South Sudan on Tuesday by addressing thousands of supporters in Western Equatoria State.

Cde Arman, a leading member of the SPLM, arrived in Juba, capital of South Sudan, on Monday, after successful campaign rallies in northern Sudan, the latest being in the war-torn western region of Darfur and the Northern and River Nile States.

He held huge rallies in Yambio, the main town in Western Equatoria State, and Tombura.

Arman’s campaign in the South was expected to, at some point, cross roads with that of the SPLM leader and the party’s candidate for the position of president of the Government of South Sudan Comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit.

SPLM Secretary General Comrade Pagan Amum and member of the Political Bureau Comrade Deng Alor, among others, are accompanying Cde Arman on his campaign.

(SPLMToday)

Kiir's campaign in Juba

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Kiir, Arman campaign in Bahr El Ghazal

Friday 26 March 2010

By Manyang Mayom

March 25, 2010 (RUMBEK) – The leadership of the SPLM campaigned in the states of Western and Northern Bahr El Ghazal, wrapping up a tour by storming Aweil town yesterday.

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Yasir Arman speaks in Mapel

SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit and members of SPLM leadership were scheduled to visit all five counties of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State. They held campaign rallies at Malek Alell, Aweil South County, and today in Aweil East and Aweil North.

Salva Kiir is expected to arrive to Rumbek on Friday in the evening at 5 p.m., a source told Sudan Tribune.

The turn-out in Aweil town was huge — such had not been seen since the signing of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Among those present were GOSS President Salva Kiir Mayardit, his vice president Riek Machar Teny, Pagan Amum Ukec, presidential candidate Yasir Said Arman, Nhial Deng Nhial, Deng Alor Kuol, and Dr. Samson Kawaji.

"The leadership first and foremost called for the unity of the SPLM, reminding members and supporters that the liberation journey was not completed," said SPLM official Garang Kuot.

President Kiir addressed the contentious issue of those SPLM members who chose to contest as independents after not being chosen in SPLM primaries. He acknowledged that some of those who were bitter and decided to run as independent candidates were his long-time comrades who fought side by side with him during the long war. So he called on them to reconsider their running as independent candidates in order to maintain and preserve the unity of the SPLM.

In order to drive the point home, the President publicly acknowledged those who had initially chosen to run as independent candidates but then withdrew their candidatures. He called their act the exemplary spirit needed in the SPLM, acknowledging Angelo Marach Thiik, Gar Gar Adim, Autiak Majak, Anguei Lual and Lual Chol Makaam.

Both Salva Kiir Mayardit and Yasir Arman, SPLM national presidential candidate, had been further south in Western Bahr El Ghazal; they arrived Tuesday evening in Mapel Boma which is in the area of Wau.

They were escorted by Machar, Amum, Samson Kwaji, Deng Alor Kuol and Anthony Makana among other dignitaries.

Over 10,000 out of 15,817 votes registered in Mapel Boma lined up to welcome their party presidential candidates for their arrival in Mapel from Tumbura of Western Equatoria State, said James Deng Dimo, SPLM official state secretariat spokesman.

In the opening rally, the SPLM nominee candidate for governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal state, Rezig Zakaria Hassan, introduced himself and two top party candidates to the Mapel Luo ethnic group.

This marks the first time that prominent SPLM figures have toured up in South Sudan in such a campaign convoy. Mapel was founded in 1994 during the wartime as a displace camp for the UN to supply war victims with food items.

However it is not the first time for Kiir and Riek Machar to see Mapel; the two men were popular to Mapel residents since Riek conducted a peace and reconciliation in 2005 between the state’s majority Luo ethic group, Faratid and Marialbai, a small Dinka tribe in Western Bahr el Ghazal State. But Yasir Arman and Pagan Amum Okech were the new faces in the area.

In the speech of Salva Kiir Mayardit in his campaign at Mapel, Kiir pointed out that Mapel is important in the history of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement because Mapel was not only for displaced persons but it was known as the headquarters of Wau County for SPLA to operate in greater Bahr El Ghazal.

Mayardit noted to people of Mapel the important of Cde Yasir Arman’s nomination to the post of presidency of the Republic of Sudan is based on his experience with SPLM and his competence and commitments to SPLM and Southerners.

Kiir mentioned that Arman was under his command in the movement since 1987 in Kurmuk, Blue Nile and Western Equatoria at a time when President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir launched planes to attack Yambio and Maridi.

"My nomination toward the challenges of the country of Sudan with my compatriot Said Arman is an acceleration towards solving the consultation of Blue Nile, Southern Kordofan and demarcation of borders including Abyei demarcation and … the genocides in Darfur to come to an end," he said.

Kiir did not speak to the SPLA in Mapel about their delayed salaries. He congratulated the present SPLA senior officers whose ranks ranged up to Major General Charles Lam of the 5th Division. He asked Charles Lam to tell soldiers in the barracks that last week he settled that issues with the SPLA administrative branch.

In another development in the region, Paul Malong Awan, SPLM candidate for the Governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State has taken his campaign online by officially launching his campaign website: paulmalongforgovernor.org. Paul Malong intended to take his message to a wider audience, particularly for state citizens who are living in distant places.

(ST)

SPLM Campaign in Malakal

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Opposition coalition and SPLM to decide on election boycott next week

March 28, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese opposition forces and the southern Sudan ruling party agreed to delay their decision on whether to participate in April election or to boycott it to the next week after a meeting of the presidency where the issue is to be discussed.

The decision was announced on Saturday in Khartoum after a meeting attended by 17 political forces including the Umma Party of Sadiq Al-Mahdi, SPLM, PCP of Hassan Al-Turabi, the Communist Party and DUP of Mohamed Osman Al-Mirghani who joined the coalition today for the first time.

The multiparty election is scheduled for April 11 to 13, but rumours persist of a possible delay despite the announced rejection of the National Congress Party (NCP) which ruled the country following a coup d’état in June 1989.

The Sudanese presidency is expected to meet next Tuesday March 30, and the issue of election postponement will be discussed on the request of the SPLM chairman Salva Kiir Mayadrit.

"The ’National Consensus’ forces have decide to delay the decision on its participation or boycott of the elections to the next week after a presidential meeting to be held next Tuesday," said Farouk Abu Eissa, the head of the coalition in a press conference held today following the meeting.

"The representatives of «SPLM» officially informed the meeting that the First Vice President and SPLM chairman, Salva Kiir Mayadrit, sent a note to the presidency demanding to address the abuses that accompanied the electoral process and to postpone the election to an appropriate time," Abu Eissa said.

He added that the outcome of this presidential meeting may resolve the problem and respond positively to the request of election postponement. He pointed out the leaders of the National Consensus will meet on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning to announce their decision regarding the election.

Sudanese opposition parties have called to delay the elections, a key provision of the CPA, to November this year. They accused the NEC of bias in favor of the ruling NCP and urged to undertake reforms in a number of laws primarily relating national security and media.

Abu Eissa reiterated their position form the electoral board and also distanced the coalition from Bashir threats to expel foreign observers. The Carter Center which is in the country since last year to observe the electoral process in Sudan said in a report released last week that preparations by Sudan’s NEC were lagging.

"With a series of delays and changes in polling procedures, a minor delay in polling for operational purposes may be required," it said adding that "The Carter Center is deeply concerned that the final voters’ list is still not ready, with several hundred thousand names still omitted". The center also mentioned there were reports of discrepancies between registration booklets and the central electronic voter registry.

In his press Conference, Abu Eissa also welcomed the participation of the Democratic Unionist Party of Mohamed Osman Al-Mirghani for the first time in the meetings of the coalition announcing that the DUP has joined the National Consensus.

SPLM runner for Sudan President, Yasir Arman who represented his party with the Secretary General Pagan Amum told reporters that the coalition changed its name from "Juba Conference" to "National Consensus" adding "We make up the majority of the political class, except for the National Congress Party" of President Al-Bashir.

Al-Mirghani, who is also the leader of the National Democratic Alliance had launched the "National Consensus Initiative" to resolve the outstanding issues in the process of democratic transition in the country. But he blamed the opposition and the ruling coalition forces NCP and SPLM for ignoring his initiative and refused to participate in Juba conference where the former allies of the NDA gathered last year.

Before the CPA era, the late SPLM leader John Garang was a close ally to Al-Mirghani who is expected to visit soon Juba for meeting with Salva Kiir. GOSS Vice President Riek Machar paid a visit to the DUP leader at his home in Khartoum North to discuss the electoral process.

Pagan Amum who flanked Machar during the visit told reporters that the two parties agreed to adopt a joint position on the election following Tuesday meeting.

(ST)

Sudan electoral body dismisses resignation of its chairman

Sunday 28 March 2010

March 27, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan electoral board has dismissed the resignation of its head Abel Alier stressing he chaired a meeting it held today Saturday while the commission follows its activities as usual.

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Abel Alier, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (C) with two other members of the electoral board. (SUNA)

The denial comes after strong rumours in the capital Khartoum yesterday about Alier resignation which could lead to the delay of electoral process until the parliament is called to appoint a new chairman.

The deputy chairman of the National Election Commission Abdallah Ahmed Abdallah denied in statements to the official SUNA the resignation of NEC chairman Abel Alier saying the Commission, in a meeting chaired by Alier, discussed on Saturday the latest preparation ahead of the critical phase of polling process.

He added in remarks made after the meeting that the NEC tackled the ongoing arrangements for the elections and ensured the receipt of equipment imported from the United Kingdom and South Africa as well as the transfer of required electoral materials to Juba and other regional states.

All the required equipments will be delivered by April 8 and elections will take place as scheduled, he stressed.

On November 25, 2009, Sudanese President appointed Alier and eight other eight members of the NEC after their endorsement by the parliament on November 17, as necessary step towards the organization of general election.

The independent commission is the sole institution that has the authority to fix the date of elections and to postpone it. In accordance with the electoral law, the elections should be organised to take place six months after the establishment of the NEC.

Such resignation if happened would force to postpone the electoral process until the call of two chambers of the parliament by presidential decree in order to approve a new chairman of the Commission after discussion between the two peace partners.

Several opposition parties and Darfur rebel groups ask to delay the election but the ruling National Congress Party refuses the idea. A coalition of of opposition forces and the southern Sudan ruling SPLM agreed today to take a decision on the issue next week after a meeting for the Sudanese presidency where the postponement will be discussed.

(ST)

SPLM’s Arman quits Sudan’s presidential race

March 31, 2010 (KHRTOUM) — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) said on Wednesday it was withdrawing its candidate for the Sudanese presidency, Yasir Arman, due to the Darfur situation and election irregularities.

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Yasir Arman

Selected in January to compete against Omer Al-Bashir, Arman was seen as the sole challenger that who might put in difficulty the incumbent president in this first multiparty election since 1986.

"The SPLM will withdraw its candidate Arman from the presidential elections and it will enter general elections in 11 northern states but boycott them in the three states of the western Sudan region of Darfur," said Riak Machar, the SPLM deputy chairman on Wednesday.

Machar announced the boycott of presidential election in a press conference held in Juba after a meeting of the SPLM Political Bureau where the party debated on its participation in the general election. He and several leading members including Yasir Arman and pagan Amum held a series of meetings with the opposition forces in Khartoum.

Machar said the decision has been taken in response to a request from SPLM sections in Darfur who protested the participation of the party in the general election while the conflict in the restive region remains unresolved and IDPs are excluded from the polling.

Tomorrow, the opposition forces in Khartoum and the SPLM will adopt a joint position on whether or not to participate in the presidential election.

The opposition forces demanded the delay of elections till November to settle political irregularities, amend laws obstructing public freedom and settle Darfur problem.

(ST)

Opposision Parties Pulling out candidates

KHARTOUM, April 1 (Reuters) – Sudan’s main opposition parties have withdrawn from this month’s presidential election, a senior member of one of the groups said on Thursday, a decision that could wreck the vote and damage the faltering peace process.
“On the level of the candidates of the Presidency of the Republic, most of them (Sudan’s opposition groups) decided to withdraw,” said Mohamed Zaki, head of office for Sadeq al-Mahdi, leader of the opposition Umma party.

Zaki said only five independents and representatives of smaller parties were still in the race against incumbent President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

Zaki said there was still a chance the main opposition candidates might review their decision if the government agreed to an overhaul of the National Elections Commission and responded to their complaints of widespread vote fraud.

A day earlier, south Sudan’s leading party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), withdrew its candidate Yasir Arman from the election, protesting against voting irregularities and insecurity in Darfur.

Sudan’s presidential, parliamentary and gubernatorial elections, due in less than two weeks, are central to the 2005 peace deal that ended more than two decades of civil war between Sudan’s Muslim north and the south, whose inhabitants are mostly Christian or follow traditional beliefs.

As part of the peace accord, the SPLM joined Bashir’s northern National Congress Party (NCP) in a fragile national coalition government.

The SPLM last year joined a loose coalition with opposition groups calling for democratic reforms and complaining about irregularities in the preparation for the vote. (Reporting by Opheera McDoom; writing by Andrew Heavens; editing by Andrew Dobbie)

Juba Alliance parties criticize US for contradictory stances on elections

Tuesday, 06 April 2010 23:06 Sudan >>>

The Juba Alliance parties described the US State Department statement as contradictory with the statements of the US envoy to Sudan Scott Gration. State Department called for lifting restrictions on political parties, whereas the US Envoy has said the elections would be free and fair.

Speaking to Miraya, spokesman of the Alliance, Farouk Abu Issa, criticized Gration's understanding of Sudan's electoral process.

On his part, a leading member in the National Congress Party Rabbie Abdul Atti described the US administration's statements on lifting the restrictions on the political parties as not realistic, adding that there are no restrictions to be lifted.

He said the opposition parties were given the right to explain their platforms through state and private owned media organs.

Earlier the United States had called on the Sudanese government to lift restrictions on the political parties.

The spokesman of the State Department, Philip Crowley, said that the United States is worried about the developments and in particular serious restrictions on political freedoms.

2,800 national elections observers to be deployed

Tuesday, 06 April 2010 23:20 Sudan >>>

The National Network Centre for the Observation of the Elections has announced the deployment of 2,800 national observers all over the country. In a press conference on Monday in Khartoum the spokesperson of the network Tarrigue Mahajuub criticized the National Elections Commission for acting slowly in issuing ID cards for the observers.

The network assured that it will issue a report free from influence from any party.

NEC sets up 21 polling centers abroad

Tuesday, 06 April 2010 17:10 Sudan >>>

The National Elections Commission (NEC) has set up 21 polling centers outside Sudan to enable Sudanese living abroad to vote in Sunday's Presidential elections. Voting centers are set up, among others, in Washington, New York, Ottawa, London, Dublin, Brussels, Rome and Kuala Lumpur.

SPLM abandons North Sudan elections race, Umma party delays decision

Wednesday 7 April 2010

April 6, 2010 (WAHSINGTON) — The dominant political party in South Sudan reached a decision to boycott elections in most of North Sudan following intense deliberations.

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Sudan is due to hold its first multi-party election since 1986 on Sunday, which will include presidential, legislative and local elections.

Last week, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) took the surprise decision of withdrawing its presidential candidate Yasir Arman from the race and also announced its boycott of polls in Darfur. Reasons given by the SPLM leadership for the move included irregularities and voter fraud as well as conflict in Sudan’s Western region.

However, suspicions arose that the SPLM took the decision under pressure from the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to withdraw Arman in return for facilitating South Sudan’s road to independence following the 2011 referendum in the semi-autonomous region.

Last January, the NCP declared its endorsement to SPLM chairman Salva Kiir for South Sudan presidency and urged their partner in the government of national unity to reciprocate in the north by pulling out Arman from contesting against incumbent president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.

The SPLM however denies succumbing to pressure from the NCP. Today the Southern party said it would boycott elections in most states in northern Sudan.

"After reviewing the situation ... we the SPLM for the northern sector have arrived at the conclusion to boycott elections in the 13 northern states of Sudan," excluding the sensitive states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, Pagan Amum, the secretary general, said after a meeting of the SPLM political bureau.

Amum told reporters the party was taking the decision in protest against irregularities in the build-up to the vote. The SPLM and opposition parties have accused the NCP of clamping down on campaigning and rigging voter registration and other preparations. The NCP denies the accusations.

"The NCP continues to issue threats to observers ... what would happen to Sudanese people?" Amum asked rhetorically, citing worries of vote rigging.

A senior NCP official criticized the decision by the SPLM calling it "unjustified".

"The NCP regrets this decision by the SPLM, and urges the movement to immediately reconsider it," Ibrahim Ghandour told China Xinhua agency.

"The SPLM seems to reel under internal division which triggered unreasonable and unjustified decisions," Ghandour, who is in charge of the elections file, said.

He also dismissed the poll rigging claims, saying "the elections have not kicked off yet."

"If the SPLM boycotts the elections due to rigging in the north, it still runs in the same elections in the south," he added.

In a related issue the Dubai based Al-Arabiya TV said that the Carter Center, a non-governmental organization founded by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter that aims to further democracy and human rights, said that it requested a written and public apology for Bashir remarks or else they will reconsider their monitoring mission.

The Sudanese president has twice threatened to mutilate and expel any foreign observers if they call for postponing elections.

"There is no chance to postpone the elections, even if one day...... any observer party requesting to delay the elections or interfere in our affairs....will not stay [another] 24 hours in the country" Bashir told a rally in Al-Jazeera state in central Sudan.

"[Our government] before expelled the British ambassador and the Canadian ambassador and special envoy of the United Nations ... Whoever tries to insult us we will cut off their neck and extend his tongue to abuse us we will cut off his tongue" he added.

The only long-term international observer mission in Sudan said last month that Sudan may need a slight delay in its elections to deal with logistical problems, with hundreds of thousands of names missing from the voters’ list.

Carter Center also officials issued a report saying Sudan’s April presidential and legislative elections remained "at risk on multiple fronts" and urged Sudan to lift harsh restrictions on rallies and end fighting in Darfur ahead of the ballot.

The NCP and National Election Commission (NEC) have dismissed calls for postponement insisting it will go as planned.

There will be "no delay," Hadi Mohammed, head of the technical committee of the NEC, told reporters after talks with US special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration.

"Preparations are finished," he said.

Some 50 demonstrators from the Grifna [We are fed up] movement gathered outside the offices of the commission to demand "free and fair" elections, an Agence France Presse (AFP) reporter said. They carried a coffin representing the NEC’s integrity.

On Saturday, Gration said after meeting members of the commission that he was confident the elections would be as "free and fair as possible" and would start on time and praised done by the board.

However, on Monday the US state department signaled it is open to a slight delay in elections and also urged Sudan to immediately lift restrictions on political parties.

Today’s decision makes the SPLM the second major party in Sudan to announce some form of boycott to the elections after the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) and the breakaway Umma Reform and Renewal Party (URRP). The mainstream Umma Party led by Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi has failed to reach a decision by a self-imposed deadline that expired today though it appears likely that it will end up taking part in the elections.

The opposition Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which pulled out of the presidential race last week after the first SPLM boycott, said late on Tuesday it had reversed its decision.

It decided to reinstate its presidential candidate Hatim al-Sir after appeals from supporters, party official Salah al-Basha told Reuters, without giving details.

The DUP has been holding talks with the ruling NCP in recent days and was a late member of a loose opposition coalition protesting against irregularities. Some commentators earlier saw it as a possible NCP ally in the poll.
(ST)

Carter Center threatens to withdraw from Sudan unless Bashir apologizes publicly: TV

Wednesday 7 April 2010

April 6, 2010 (WAHSINGTON) — The US based Carter Center has reportedly requested an apology for Sudanese president’s remarks threatening to expel them or else they will reconsider their monitoring mission.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9351/95571808.jpg
Sudan’s President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir (Reuters)

The Dubai based Al-Arabiya TV quoting unidentified sources said that the Carter Center, a non-governmental organization founded by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter that aims to further democracy and human rights, informed Khartoum about their intention to withdraw unless they receive a "written and public" apology from president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.

The Sudanese president has twice threatened this year to mutilate and expel any foreign observers if they call for postponing elections.

"There is no chance to postpone the elections, even if one day...... any observer party requesting to delay the elections or interfere in our affairs....will not stay [another] 24 hours in the country" Bashir told a rally in Al-Jazeera state in central Sudan this weekend.

"[Our government] before expelled the British ambassador and the Canadian ambassador and special envoy of the United Nations ... Whoever tries to insult us we will cut off their neck and extend his tongue to abuse us we will cut off his tongue" he added.

Last month Bashir made similar statements also apparently directed at Carter Center.

"We wanted them to see the free and fair elections, but if they interfere in our affairs, we will cut their fingers off, put them under our shoes, and throw them out," he said.

The only long-term international observer mission in Sudan said last month that Sudan may need a slight delay in its elections to deal with logistical problems, with hundreds of thousands of names missing from the voters’ list.

Carter Center also officials issued a report saying Sudan’s April presidential and legislative elections remained "at risk on multiple fronts" and urged Sudan to lift harsh restrictions on rallies and end fighting in Darfur ahead of the ballot.

The NCP and National Election Commission (NEC) have dismissed calls for postponement insisting it will go as planned.

Al-Arabiya TV also said that Carter Center protested NEC rules prohibiting non-Sudanese monitors from conducting their activities outside Khartoum.

Today, the Sudanese presidential adviser Mustafa Ismail sought to downplay the tension with Carter Center describing it as a "highly competent and a recognized neutral body" according to statements on state media.

He noted out at a press briefing in the Sudanese Journalist Union headquarters that this centre was the one that supervised the elections in Palestine and said that the misunderstanding with the Centre "has now been overcome after the clarifications we received from the centre and we now have full confidence in the centre and in its neutrality".

Ismail said that Bashir has personally took the initiative and invited the Carter Centre be an election observer and has also commended former US President Jimmy Carter and his efforts.

The elections are followed by a southern referendum on independence in January 2011, which most analysts expect to result in secession. Both are benchmarks of a 2005 north-south peace deal which ended more than two decades of civil war.
(ST)

^ last post, do u mind sharing the link or the article? thanx.

didn't c the ST (Sudan Tribune) sry. BBC had a similar one which i why i asked.

Sudan opposition Umma party will boycott elections

KHARTOUM, April 7 (Reuters) - Sudan's Umma Party, one of the main opposition parties, said on Wednesday it would boycott next week's presidential, legislative and gubernatorial polls, blighting their credibility.

President Omar Hassan al-Bashir had hoped to win the April 11 polls in defiance of an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest to legitimize his rule in Africa's largest country.

The withdrawal of the Umma party, and that of the main south Sudan party a day earlier, will cast a major shadow over the elections, Sudan's first multi-party polls in 24 years.

"The political bureau decided to boycott the current elections at all levels," senior Umma party official Sara Nugdullah told reporters.

The party had set eight conditions for participation including a four-week delay and government funding for political parties. Only one condition, a campaign spending ceiling, was met by the April 6 deadline.

Nugdullah said Umma party leader Sadeq al-Mahdi had been granted the right to "take action in the national interests," but three party officials said this would not affect the decision to boycott the elections.

Two party sources said Mahdi may consider taking a position similar to that of the ex-southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), which on Tuesday announced a boycott in the north, except in the central Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

Mahdi was the last democratically elected leader of Sudan in 1986 and was one of Bashir's two main challengers in the presidential polls.

The favourite to threaten Bashir, SPLM candidate Yasir Arman, withdrew last week citing major fraud and the continuing conflict in Darfur, sparking a crisis of confidence in the elections and leaving a loose opposition alliance in disarray.

On Wednesday the biggest international observer mission -- from the European Union -- said it was withdrawing its observers from war-torn Darfur because fighting and kidnappings were restricting the movement of its staff, undermining their ability to observe election preparations.

The Communist Party, the Umma breakaway Reform and Renewal and other smaller parties announced a full boycott last week.

The polls, due to begin on Sunday, look shaky and Umma Party political bureau member Ahmed Abdallah said the Umma decision may persuade other parties still contesting the elections to join their boycott. (Reporting by Opheera McDoom, editing by Tim Pearce)
Reuters (http://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFLDE63628H20100407)

European Union withdraws Darfur poll observers

EL-FASHER, Sudan, April 7 (Reuters) - The European Union on Wednesday withdrew its election observers from Sudan's Darfur region, saying safety fears were hindering their work.

Sudan is days away from what should be its first multi-party presidential, legislative and gubernatorial elections in 24 years, but opposition parties have said the polls in Darfur will be a farce while a seven-year conflict continues in the region.

"I have decided to come back with all the team. The six observers who are...in Darfur," Veronique De Keyser, who heads the EU's election mission in Sudan, told reporters.

There has been a rash of kidnappings of Westerners in Darfur together with repeated bandit attacks and reports of fresh fighting between rebels and government forces.

President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for suspected war crimes in Darfur, hopes to reinforce his rule with an election victory.

De Keyser said she was concerned the team would only be able to see a fraction of the voting, due to take place from Sunday to Tuesday, and could miss irregularities.

"We are forced to stay in a very limited area ... There is a risk of putting the credibility of the whole mission in danger," she said.

The Belgian member of the European Parliament said the team was well treated in Darfur, but she had been worried for their safety in remote areas.


NO ACCESS

"In some parts of Darfur the violence is terrible. The humanitarians cannot access this area. And if aid cannot access, we cannot access," she added.

The observers, who flew back on a private plane hired by the mission, said they were disappointed to leave but prepared to move on to watch the elections in other parts of Sudan. "We have to face up to the reality of the situation," said one.

The EU team, which arrived in Darfur in mid March, consists of two observers in each of the three state capitals

Violence flared in Darfur in 2003 when mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms against Sudan's government, accusing it of neglecting to develop the region.

The United Nations estimates that up to 300,000 people may have died after the government mounted a counter insurgency, arming mostly Arab militias. Khartoum rejects the accusation, putting the death count at 10,000.

De Keyser said she was also worried after Bashir threatened to expel international observers who pushed for a delay in the ballot. He threatened to cut off their fingers and tongues.

"You don't usually treat international observers you have invited like that. ... It doesn't reflect the traditional hospitality of the Arab world," she said.

Sudanese activists and electoral observers on Wednesday urged the international observer missions to withdraw fully from Africa's largest country.

"International elections observer missions should immediately pull out of Sudan," they said in a joint statement.

The activists said the international observers could not fully cover the 10,000 voting centres and with the U.S.-based Carter Center being the only long-term mission, the others had missed most of the fraud during last year's voter registration.

"These missions lend the appearance of legitimacy to what has been proven to be a deeply flawed elections process and the presumed re-election of a man who is internationally wanted for war crimes in a vote that is neither free nor fair."

The EU is the largest international mission with some 130 observers. (Reporting by Andrew Heavens; writing by Opheera McDoom; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Reuters (http://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFLDE63621P20100407)

Sudan’s Bashir stops short of apology to Carter Center

Thursday 8 April 2010

April 7, 2010 (WAHSINGTON) — The Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, in a huge shift of tone, hailed the work done by the Carter Center in his country and overruled a decision made by election officials to bar foreign observers from leaving the capital when the polls open next Sunday.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9814/98730255.jpg
Sudan’s President Omer Hassan al-Bashir wipes his head during an election campaign in Bashir’s hometown of Shandi, 317 km (197 miles) outside Khartoum April 7, 2010 (Reuters)

"In two days, president Carter will arrive and I will receive him and will give him and his centre permission to go to any area of Sudan and to monitor any area in Sudan," Bashir told a rally north of Sudan.

"This man did good things for us and we never forget the man who did good things for us," he added.

Yesterday, the US based Center has reportedly requested an apology for Sudanese president’s remarks threatening to expel them or else they will reconsider their monitoring mission.

The Dubai based Al-Arabiya TV quoting unidentified sources said that the Carter Center, a non-governmental organization founded by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter that aims to further democracy and human rights, informed Khartoum about their intention to withdraw unless they receive a "written and public" apology from president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.

However, the Carter Center’s deputy director in Juba said they did not ask for any apology from the president.

“We did not ask for an apology but we had asked for a clarification of the remarks that President al-Bashir had made and we also asked for a re-affirmation of our invitation as international observers, which we received. The rumor that that president Carter has been banned from Sudan is completely untrue as well as the other rumor that we are banned from 9 states of Sudan as international observers - that is also completely untrue” Sanne van den Bergh told the Sudan Radio Service (SRS).

The Sudanese president has twice threatened this year to mutilate and expel any foreign observers if they call for postponing elections.

"There is no chance to postpone the elections, even if one day...... any observer party requesting to delay the elections or interfere in our affairs....will not stay [another] 24 hours in the country" Bashir told a rally in Al-Jazeera state in central Sudan this weekend.

"[Our government] before expelled the British ambassador and the Canadian ambassador and special envoy of the United Nations ... Whoever tries to insult us we will cut off their neck and extend his tongue to abuse us we will cut off his tongue" he added.

Last month Bashir made similar statements also apparently directed at Carter Center.

"We wanted them to see the free and fair elections, but if they interfere in our affairs, we will cut their fingers off, put them under our shoes, and throw them out," he said.

The only long-term international observer mission in Sudan said last month that Sudan may need a slight delay in its elections to deal with logistical problems, with hundreds of thousands of names missing from the voters’ list.

Carter Center also officials issued a report saying Sudan’s April presidential and legislative elections remained "at risk on multiple fronts" and urged Sudan to lift harsh restrictions on rallies and end fighting in Darfur ahead of the ballot.

The NCP and National Election Commission (NEC) have dismissed calls for postponement insisting it will go as planned.

Sudanese activists and electoral observers on Wednesday urged the international observer missions to withdraw fully from Africa’s largest country.

"International elections observer missions should immediately pull out of Sudan," they said in a joint statement.

The activists said the international observers could not fully cover the 10,000 voting centers and with the Carter Center being the only long-term mission, the others had missed most of the fraud during last year’s voter registration.

"These missions lend the appearance of legitimacy to what has been proven to be a deeply flawed elections process and the presumed re-election of a man who is internationally wanted for war crimes in a vote that is neither free nor fair."

But Sudan today announced that former president Carter will arrive on Thursday in Khartoum to lead the poll observer team.

The director of the democracy program at the Carter Center David Carroll told Voice of America (VOA) that the team will be impartial in assessing the vote.

“Our purpose is two-fold. We are trying to show the international community what’s happening in Sudan (and) we are also here to render an assessment as an impartial, credible observer group, about the electoral process that has been unfolding here in Sudan,” Carroll said.

“We’ve been operating in Sudan at the invitation of the government of Sudan and of the election authorities and also under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, which provides for the access of observers…throughout the country,” he added.

Carroll disclosed that Bashir has clarified his previous pronouncement about expelling international observers.

“We were concerned about some of the remarks made in the past week made by President Bashir, but he has clarified his statements recently that we will have complete access and our observers will be able to carry out their work," Carroll said.
(ST)

SPLM’s Arman quits Sudan’s presidential race



(ST)

the SPLM tested the water found out that Arman wasn't popular in the North and pulled him out but so as to tarnish the Elections it was referred to as a boycott.

http://i39.************/35ja048.jpg

:lol::lol:

[B]US Firm on Its Position Towards Sudanese Elections
Posted on Saturday, April 10 @ 00:05:00 BST by admin

Crowley Views the Vast Number of Candidates at All Levels As a Healthy Development
By: Editor-in-Chief
Assistant secretary for the Bureau of Public Affairs in the State Department of the United State considered Sudanese coming elections as an important step in the implementation of the CPA,


and that there’s value in giving the people of Sudan an opportunity to participate in a broader political process for the first time in a quarter century.
Briefing the press, Philip J. Crowley recognized the challenges and difficulties since it is the first elections in Sudan in 24 years, but he admitted that by all accounts, elections are moving forward. "We expect them to begin in the next week. There have been a number of logistical challenges getting materials in place. But with the help of the UN and others, significant progress is being made", he said. Though Crowley admitted that the opposition parties have legitimate grievances in terms of their access to media, he stressed the importance of the step. "We know that this is going to be hard for Sudan to produce an election that is comparable to a developed country like the United States. So we know there are going to be problems. We know there are going to be challenges.
But we also recognize that this election and the referenda that follow are critical to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement" Crowley added. The US official viewed the vast number of candidates at all level as an indication of healthy development in Sudan.
"I mean, again, understand that there are multiple elections here – national elections, regional elections, state elections. So there’s a lot more about this than just a particular decision by candidates not to contest in the national presidential election. That is important," said Crowley. In what was seen as a down playing for withdrawal of some parties from the presidential race.
:cheers::cheers:

The US discredited the SPLM :lol:

Sunday and its election day.

http://i41.************/2ugfcec.jpg

http://i39.************/23tfbpv.jpg

the SPLM tested the water found out that Arman wasn't popular in the North and pulled him out but so as to tarnish the Elections it was referred to as a boycott.

Oh please!!!!!! Quit it ya inta....Your Idol Bashir is going to gain power again through the only way he knows how.....And in an attempt to save a face (that is if there was one to begin with) you are here trying to create futile arguments.::nuts:

Well, SPLM is not the only party complaining about or boycotting the national presidential race.........And that, you already know. For its part, SPLM withdrew Yasir Arman...... after Arman himself presented several huddles which were obstructing his chance to fully compete and requested that he be allows to quit the presidential race.

Hope all goes well.....

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3227/50117130.jpg

BquI2y6Tzcs

nice vid

http://i40.************/fxcl52.jpg

http://media.theage.com.au/sudan-historic-vote-underway-1307849.html?&exc_from=strap

nice link...

Well, it is now day 2......

Here is the summary of some irregularities reported by opposition in Sudan's first day of elections


Ballots arriving late to the polling stations

Insufficient number of ballots at the polling stations

Polling stations opening later than scheduled

Names of candidates in the ballots misspelled or assigned the wrong symbol

Missing names in the voter registration lists at the polling stations or relocated elsewhere

Political parties unable to secure clearance for their delegates to monitor the voting

Registering people at the polling stations and allowing them to vote thereafter

Electoral officials instructing voters to pick the National Congress Party (NCP) electoral symbol

Children allowed to cast their votes

NCP tents in the proximity of the polling stations

Some voters did not have their fingers immersed in ink as required. Some of the ink used was removable.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7682/33407787.jpg

Ballot for the election listing the two individuals contesting for the Presidency of South Sudan...Salva Kiir (SPLM Party) and Lam Akol (SPLM -DC Party)

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8222/85283038.jpg

These individuals on this ballot are seeking to be the President of Sudan......Many of those candidates are now boycotting the election.

http://i41.************/hvdwd3.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/9017/15244222.jpg

People check their names on lists outside a polling station to vote in Khartoum.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5661/49163123.jpg

Southern Sudaneses check the registered voters list for their names, at a polling station in Juba.

People line up to vote......

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6621/62400016.jpg

Khartoum

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7079/73790760.jpg

Juba

BREAKING NEWS

Sudan election board extends voting period for two days

April 12, 2010 (Juba) – The National Election Commission has extended voting for two days to end Thursday April 15, reported today the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA).

^^ The decision was made after SPLM urged the government to extend elections because of delays and problems at voting centers across the country.

yes two more days will be sufficient for every one to cast their vote.

Northern states: Voter turnout 40-60% after 3 days of polling

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 08:55

By the end of Tuesday, the third day of voting in Sudanese general elections, the National Elections Commission (NEC) says that voter turnout ranges between 40 to 60% in northern states, with Kassala having the least percentage. In Darfur the voter turnout is 52%. In press statements, NEC's information officer, Abu Bakr Waziri said that a delegation from NEC has examined all polling stations in Khartoum.

The examination delegation, headed by the Chairman of NEC, Abel Alier, was meant to ensure the progress of the electoral process.

The voting started on Sunday and will go on until Thursday. The period was extended from three to five days on Monday, after two days of voting. According to NEC, the extension was a result of technical and administrative problems.

Vote count to start on Friday, says NEC

Wednesday, 14 April 2010

The National Elections Commission (NEC) announced that counting of ballot swill start on Friday with the final results announced the following Tuesday. The head of the technical committee of NEC, Al Hadi Mohamed Ahmed, said that initial results will be annouced starting Friday with 27 constitiuency candidates who have won by acclamation.

The Deputy Chairman of NEC, Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, also noted a high turnout in Khartoum State saying that the State High Elections Committee ha dto take two thousand ballot boxes from Al Gezira and Port Sudan after running out of ballots.

generally turnout has been good in Sudan

Aturn out over 60% would suggest the elections where successful.

South Kordufan atleast 60% turn out
Southern Sudan atleast 60% turn out
Khartoum atleast 62% turn out
Al jazeira atleast 77% turn out
west Darfur at least 62%
South Darfur at least 54%
Northern at least 70%

http://i40.************/20t5k5y.jpg

Party representatives watching the vote counting

No date set for announcing final elections result

April 21, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese National Elections Commission (NEC) announced today that it has not yet determined when final results will be released for the first multi-party polls held since 1986.

The Sudan official news agency (SUNA) carried a statement from the NEC saying it is still monitoring all states to get the full election results and urged the states to work on completing the counting process as soon as possible.

Originally, the NEC was scheduled to announce the outcome of the elections race last Tuesday but delayed it citing technical problems but suggested it could be forthcoming before the end of the week.

The statement noted that announcing the winner for the post of president depends primarily on obtaining all the valid votes from all states and in countries abroad to determine the winning percentage of 50%+1. The NEC added that the same rule applies to the presidential race in South Sudan.

Partial results has been announced all throughout the country primarily in the North showing a strong standing for the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

The NCP leader and incumbent president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir Bashir is the only sitting head of state wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes in Darfur and hopes a victory would legitimize his government in defiance of the arrest warrant. He denies the charges.

Much of the opposition boycotted the proceedings before voting started citing irregularities, and observers have already said the elections did not meet international standards.
(ST)

Sudan reportedly blocks YouTube over electoral fraud video

April 21, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese authorities have reportedly blocked users’ access to the YouTube site over a video posted this week showing electoral staff in East Sudan filling out the ballots and putting inside the boxes.

The Saudi-owned Al-Hayat newspaper said that the Al-Rakoba website was also blocked for showing the same footage although there was no official confirmation from National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC).

YouTube, owned by search giant Google Inc, has been unavailable for users in Sudan starting Wednesday. A significant number of internet surfers confirmed to Sudan Tribune the ban.

Sudan, which just concluded its first elections since 1986 said the video was fabricated and that it will not investigate it. Several heavyweight opposition groups boycotted the elections and even those who participated announced later they will not recognize its results alleging fraud and vote rigging.

The video originally posted on YouTube website showed around seven National Electoral Commission (NEC) workers along with a child, apparently in an East Sudan polling station, filling out the voting slips and stuffing it into the boxes. The information attached to the video stated that it was recorded in the Red Sea state, constituency 4 in Hamashkoreib region.

The electoral staff was wearing the official orange-colored on top of traditional eastern Sudanese clothes with the semi-transparent sealed ballot boxes on the floor.

The sound quality of the video was poor but one voice is heard expressing relief that the voting period has been extended "so we can finish our work".

Opposition parties said the video is the solid proof on the extent of vote rigging by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

This is not the first time Sudan blocks YouTube website. In 2008, Khartoum made a similar move for unknown reasons before reversing the decision.
(ST)

NCP and SPLM agree to accept elections results

The Naivasha partners, the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) have agreed to accept the elections results once officially announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC). The announcement was made following a meeting between SPLM Chairman, Salva Kiir Mayardit and NCP Deputy Chairman, Ali Othman Taha in Juba on Tuesday.

According to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), both parties also stressed the importance of the new National Unity (GoNU) and Southern Sudan (GoSS) governments and how the two must be formed quickly
(Miraya FM)

Elected Governors announced in River Nile and Northern States

Wednesday, 21 April 2010 20:23 Sudan

The National Elections Commission (NEC) has declared today, Al Hadi Abdullah from the National Congress Party, as winner of governor race in River Nile state. NEC also announced the victory of NCP candidate, Fathi Khalil, for the same position in the Northern State.


NEC also convened today to look into appeals submitted by candidates against the election results in their constituencies.
(Miraya FM)

Sudan reportedly blocks YouTube over electoral fraud video


(ST)

If you're interested, here's the link to the video. There are three of them, all posted by the same person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-QQne7xXhs

quick reply removed...

If you're interested, here's the link to the video. There are three of them, all posted by the same person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-QQne7xXhs

Interesting videos....

Sudan's president wins election-poll official

Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:29pm GMT

KHARTOUM, April 26 (Reuters) - President Omar Hassan al-Bashir won Sudan's first open polls in 24 years, keeping in office the only sitting head of state wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.

"The first (was) Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir. He was the candidate and won," said the chairman of Sudan's National Elections Commission Abel Alier, adding Bashir won 68 percent of the vote.

The elections take place as Sudan heads toward a referendum in eight months that could lead south Sudan to split off and become Africa's newest nation. (Reporting by Opheera McDoom; writing by Andrew Heavens)
(Reuters)

Kiir wins south Sudan presidency - poll official

Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:39pm GMT

KHARTOUM, April 26 (Reuters) - South Sudan has overwhelmingly elected Salva Kiir as president of the oil- producing region, which will vote on independence in eight months, an elections official said on Monday.

"The winner of the post of president of the government of south Sudan is Salva Kiir Mayardit," said the chairman of Sudan's National Elections Commission Abel Alier, adding Kiir won 92.99 percent of the southern vote.

Kiir will also take the post of first vice president of all of Sudan and form a north-south national coalition government. (Reporting by Opheera McDoom; writing by Andrew Heavens)
(Reuters)

seems that the officials have decided to rerun the voting in this section where the ballot stuffing took place- referenced in the video a couple of entries above...
announced on Sunday last May16...

^^ Yes, there is going to be a rerun in that constituency.

SSLA inaugurated

JUBA 20 May 2010 – The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) has been today inaugurated officially following the conclusion of the recent general elections and declaration of the results.


The major tasks of the first sitting of the new parliament were to swear in the members and to elect the speaker and his deputy. The programmes began with prayers by Christian and Muslim clerics after which the clerk of the SSLA, Mr Mark Nyikang Yomon, read the order of the programmes and the decree convening the sitting.


Mr Nyikang then read out the names of all the 170 elected leaders amidst ululations from supporters in the public gallery. The Chief Justice then administered the oath of office to the jovial members who then became bona fide members of the August House.


http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6749/82051843.jpg


Members of the SSLA taking the oath of office


The MPs swore allegiance to people of Southern Sudan; to obey and respect the Interim constitutions of Southern Sudan and the Republic of the Sudan; to abide by the law; to faithfully discharge the duties of their office; and to serve the people of Southern Sudan to the best of their ability.


Mr Nyikang warned the new members that the office they were assuming is exigent and urged them to surmount the challenges so as to serve the country and the people effectively. The MPs were also challenged to discard any partisan tendencies and do their honest part in serving the country.


The swearing in ceremony was presided over by Prof Bari Wanje, a former parliamentarian, who was the temporary chairperson of session.

Kiir sworn-in as GOSS President

JUBA, 21 May 2010 – H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit today took the oath of office of the President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS). President Kiir was sworn into office by the President of the Supreme Court of Southern Sudan, Justice John Wol Makec, in a colourful ceremony held at the Dr John Garang mausoleum in Juba.


President Kiir won the seat with a landslide garnering 2,616,613 votes, constituting 93 percent of the votes cast in the recently concluded elections. His only opponent, Dr Lam Akol Ajawin only managed a paltry 197,217, which was a measly 7 percent of the votes.



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H.E. Kiir taking oath of office


The ceremony was witnessed by local and regional leaders among them President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda; Hon Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice-President of Kenya; Osman Taha, Vice-President of the Republic of Sudan; Hon Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, former President of Kenya; and the chief negotiator of the CPA Gen Lazarus Sumbeywo; among other dignitaries. Also in attendance were delegations from the African Union, Arab League, IGAD, Eritrea, Ethiopia and South Africa, among others.


The occasion was considered as the second sitting of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) and was chaired by Hon James Wani Igga, the speaker of the SSLA. Hon Wani Igga called the meeting to order shortly after 11am and declared that it was a sitting of the SSLA attended by 168 members of parliament.


Before taking the oath of office, President Kiir laid a wreath at the grave of the late Dr John Garang de Mabior. The master of ceremonies was H.E. Dr Luka Monoja, the caretaker minister for Cabinet Affairs.

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President Kiir pays respects at the grave of the late Dr Garang accompanied by President Museveni (extreme left), Dr Machar (second left) and Hon Wani Igga (right) just before the ceremony

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A section of the crowd that attended the ceremony

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The Armed Forces band presenting a musical item at the ceremony

33 national and state constituencies re-conduct elections

Saturday, 05 June 2010 15:48 Sudan >>> .33 national and state constituencies started re-conducting electoral voting on Saturday. Head of the High Elections Committee (NEC) in Khartoum State, Musa Mahjoub, told the press that preparations are complete and called on citizens to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Head of the National Constituency Number two in Sinnar State, Awad Al Karim Ahmed Al Sadiq, told Miraya that a high turn-out was witnessed in the constituency despite Saturday's heavy rainfall. He ruled out the need to extend the exercise period because according to Al Sadiq, the process has been well organized.

NEC cancelled April's elections in 33 national and state constituencies, due to electoral errors on ballot cards and candidates' symbols.

The directive includes the following states: Khartoum, West and North Darfur, Red Sea, North Kordofan, Upper Nile, River Nile, Jongeli, Gedaref, Sennar and Kassala.
Miraya FM (http://www.mirayafm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3112:33-national-and-state-constituencies-re-conduct-elections-&catid=85&Itemid=278)

am reading all of it

keep up to date with vazaza newspapers hub

:banana:

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