Thursday 12th November, 2009
NAIROBI
TO: THE NATIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION-
CC: THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN
CC: FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN AND PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN
CC: SUDANESE EMBASSIES
CC: SUDANESE IN DIASPORA
We the Sudanese students and the entire Sudanese community in Diaspora and particularly in Kenya, take this opportunity to commend the two signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement…i.e. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the National Congress Party for their efforts to implement the CPA, a document which will give us a chance to participate in the democratic transformation of our country through free and fair elections.
However, we are dismayed, shocked and disappointed by the circular released by the National Electoral commission regarding the countries participating in the upcoming presidential elections. The countries that have been considered to take part in the elections are as follows:
1. Kuwait
2. United Arab Emirates
3. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
4. Egypt
5. Qatar
6. Sultanate Oman
7. Bahrain
8. United Kingdom
9. Belgium ( for all Western Europe)
10. United States
The above list raises our eye brows and we believe that there is more than just meet the eye. With due respect to the mentioned countries, we believe that they are not the only countries with heavy presence of Sudanese. The deliberate exclusion of Canada, Australia more than 20,000, Eastern and Central African countries for instance; Kenya-67,560, Uganda-223,079, Ethiopia – 88,194, Congo – 69,473, Central Africa Republic – 36.000 is very suspicious.
We believe that the exclusion of Eastern and Central African countries by the NCP through NEC is a well planned attempt to rig the elections which amounts to a serious violation of the Sudanese right to vote as stipulated in chapter 3, section 2, and line 3 of the National Election Act 2008. And i quote:
“…. A Sudanese resident outside the Sudan and possesses a Sudanese passport and a valid resident visa in the country where they reside and satisfy the conditions provided for under section 21, shall have the right to apply for registration or inclusion in the electoral register for the election of the president of the republic or referendum in accordance with the rules”
It is becoming increasingly clear that the NCP is in a desperate attempt to try and cause confusion in southern Sudan by arming communities in the south to cause more insecurity hence reducing voter registration and subsequently voter turnout during the Election Day. This is evident in the recent clashes in Jonglei and Upper Nile. Western Equatoria is under increasing attacks from their proxy LRA leading to the huge displacement of the population.
We also know that the demand by the NCP for 67% voter turn out in the referendum day is also an attempt to deny the southern Sudanese the right to choose for self-determination.
We hereby demand that the NEC consider the following:
1. We demand the resignation of the chair of the electoral commission with his team.
2. The NEC through the Sudan Embassy in Kenya explains to us the criteria used in selecting countries that would take part in the up coming elections.
3. That we Southern Sudanese in Eastern and central Africa be included in the electoral process and if not, then the first list be revoked rather than guaranteeing a section of Sudanese to vote and denying others the same.
4. Given that the deadline for voter registration is just 18 days away from today, we ask for the unconditional extension of the registration date.
5. The embassy explains why they stopped issuing Sudanese passports to Sudanese in Kenya which is a requirement for one to vote.
6. We also demand that international observers are allowed to monitor the registration process to minimize chances of manipulation.
In light of this, we call upon the guarantors of the CPA. i.e. USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and IGAD member states to exert pressure on the National Electoral Commission which is a proxy of NCP to ensure that there is a free and fair voter registration process.
In conclusion, it is every Sudanese’ democratic right to express their will through the ballot box, we must therefore be included in this process otherwise we should call it ‘Northern Sudan election” and not a national election.