European Union offers to fund Sudan electoral board

November 18, 2008 ((JUBA) — The European Union said ready to bankroll Sudan’s electoral commission, which is tasked with preparing landmark polls laid out in a scheduled democratic transformation.

The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended 21 years of civil war between north and south Sudan, calls for elections no later than 2009 as part of a democratic transition, but there are widespread fears of delays.

“The EU is ready to give full support to the commission in terms of financing,” said Italian Ambassador Roberto Cantone. He further added “We are aware that there are differing opinions concerning possibility that elections would take place or not.”

The Italian diplomat said the European Union believes the elections are a “monumental step, not only for implementation of the CPA, but also reconciliation among people of Sudan.”

Southern Sudan officials warned the delegation of European diplomats which is visiting Juba for three days, that a clean election is nearly impossible in July, owing to the rainy season in the south, ongoing failures to demarcate the border between north and south and delayed census results.

On Monday, Sudan’s national parliament approved an independent electoral commission. That was three months behind schedule after the new electoral law was passed on July 7, two and a half years late.

(ST)