UN chief welcomes Sudan’s census
April 18, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) – UN chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed the decision of Sudanese Government of National Unity to proceed with a delayed national census as from 22 April in preparation for elections next year.
“The Secretary-General expresses the hope that the census will not be further delayed, as it could have considerable political and financial implications,” a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson said.
“The Sudanese people, with the assistance of the international community, have invested much in the preparation of the census and look forward to a full and peaceful enumeration process.”
In February, UNSG’s Special Representative to Sudan Ashraf Qazi told the Security Council that implementation of the agreement ending 21 years of war, in which as many as 2 million people were killed and 4.5 million others displaced, remained on track despite being behind schedule.
He said overall security in the ceasefire zone remained relatively stable, but tensions between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) actually increased along the current boundary between northern and southern Sudan.
He warned that while the working relationship between the two parties was relatively cordial, it suffered from a significant lack of trust and confidence.
The southern Sudan government accepted the conduct of the fifth census in the south but warned that it could not accept the outcome of the census as base for wealth, and power sharing in the future.
(ST)