Daily Darfur: What's another two months between friends?

by Martha Heinemann Bixby · 2009-07-01 10:19:00 UTC
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The Sudanese elections have been pushed back yet again (collective gasp of surprise).

Originally slated for mid 2009, then pushed to February 2010, the elections are now supposed to happen in April 2010.  Why?

"The National Elections Commission has been deliberating and observing the circumstances relating to the national elections and has decided on the modification of the previous timeframe," said a statement signed by Commission chairman Abel Alier.

Oh, that clears things up.  To be fair, AFP obtained a copy of a slightly more coherent explanation:

"The electoral process depends on the results of the census, but those results were not received until mid-May, a month and a half later than expected," the letter said.

Of course, even the census results are still a point of contoversy.

Over at Making Sense of Darfur Alex de Waal has an in-depth assessment of the problems with Darfuri participation in the elections.

Sadiq al Mahdi summed it up: “Elections are vital but not viable without peace.”

For background on the elections (published before this most recent postponement) check out the Enough Project's "Sudan's Elections Paradox."

Quickies

The UN news service reports that Darfur rebel groups are willing to return to peace talks.

US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice emphasized yesterday that "the United States stands ready to do its part" for UN peacekeeping missions.  In particular:

the United States will intensify diplomatic efforts to give new momentum to some of the stalled or faltering peace processes in areas where UN peacekeeping operations are deployed, starting with Darfur and Sudan’s North-South peace process. As you know, President Obama appointed General Scott Gration as his Special Envoy for Sudan for precisely this purpose. Successful diplomatic and political efforts are crucial to enabling UNAMID, UNMIS, and MINURCAT to better implement their mandates.

Map of Sudan from the BBC.

Martha Heinemann Bixby
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