Japan to monitor Sudan’s general election
March 23, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Japanese government intends to send a group of observers to Sudan next April to participate in the monitoring of the first general election in more than 20 years under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
The observation of April election will involve many international, regional and national entities. Carter center, European Union, African Union, China and Russia sent or will delegation to attend this major political event in the country.
Tokyo is expected to send 15-20 personnel, including experts from the private sector and local embassy officials. These observers will work with those from other nations to inspect polling stations and monitor the counting of votes, reported Nikkei news service today.
Japan’s delegation is expected to remain there until mid-April, when the election results will have been announced.
The elections, to be held April 11-13, will select the president of the republic, the president of South Sudan’s semi-autonomous government, MPs to the national assembly, governors besides the members of regional assemblies.
Last October Japan granted 10 million US dollar to support the electoral process in Sudan. The electoral assistance which is the largest-scale contribution among Japan’s electoral assistances ever provided in Africa, is supplied through the UNDP.
Japan has been actively contributing to the implementation of the CPA in the areas of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR).
(ST)