Daily Darfur: Disenfranchised in Darfur?

by Michelle . · 2009-07-27 04:09:00 UTC
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Internally displaced Darfuris may not be able to participate next year's national (and local and regional) elections, according to UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy, disenfranchising millions in a poll that will have "enormous impact" on the distribution of power in Darfur. Le Roy told the UN Security Council:

"The contested census, large-scale displacement and volatility - particularly in the area bordering Chad - create enormous risks that the people of Darfur will not be in a position to participate in the electoral process.

This would further disenfranchise millions already disempowered by conflict."

The elections, mandated by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and serially postponed, were already shaping up to be a contentious affair.

Khartoum, expectedly, was none-too-pleased with Le Roy's remarks. A Sudanese "diplomatic sources" reportedly commented to local press that that the UN has no mandate to comment on elections. (Naturally what one would say, if one was keen to decrease the number of observers to what will inevitably be a contested poll.)

Perhaps the government of Sudan is also slightly miffed that the UN rejected its "exaggerated" budget for the elections.

Le Roy also told the Security Council that "expectations are high" for UNAMID's ability to provide protection to Darfur's IDPs once it reaches full deployment, and noted that the nature of the conflict has changed drastically from its early days, as "large-scale violence and associated civilian deaths and displacement are no longer hallmarks of the crisis."

Quickies

U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN Rosemary DiCarlo criticized Khartoum for delaying visas for UNAMID staff. (A tactic for which Khartoum is notorious, for UN and NGO international staff.)

Mohamed Suleiman reports that Darfuri IDPs called into Radio Dabanga to refute government statements that they are voluntarily returning to their homes.

Efforts are still ongoing to free two international aid workers kidnapped in Darfur on July 3.

From Roots of Humanity: The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan Request Protection for Sudanese Civilians.

[Photo from AFP: Displaced Sudanese women wait for a medical checkup at the Turkish Red Crescent Hospital in the Darfur city of Nyala Feb. 20., 2007]

Michelle . has been involved in various activist endeavors, including the Teach Against Genocide pilot campaigns.
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