2010 Elections | Official Thread

[kitayabi]

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.

[chiefayic2]

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.



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)

[chiefayic2]

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)

[chiefayic2]

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.



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)

[chiefayic2]

Originally Posted by badro96

What?

[chiefayic2]

Originally Posted by badro96

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.

[badro96]

Originally Posted by chiefayic2

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

I'm glad mate...

[chiefayic2]

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.

[chiefayic2]

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.

[chiefayic2]

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)

[chiefayic2]

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.

[kitayabi]

http://www.ashorooq.net/index.php?op...6369&Itemid=24

[kitayabi]

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)

[kitayabi]

serves Arman right for taking the Southern vote for granted

[kitayabi]

http://news.brunei.fm/2010/03/18/sud...ing-elections/

[kitayabi]

Al Bashir recieves the support of the Shilluk king

[kitayabi]

[chiefayic2]

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)

[kitayabi]

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.

[chiefayic2]

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)