Text of press statement by the Sudanese Presidency on the delay of census

April 14, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The following is unofficial translation of the press statement issued by the Sudanese presidency on the census following yesterday evening meeting.

The Presidency of the Republic met yesterday evening Sunday 13/4/2008 to discuss the decision of the Government of South Sudan to postpone the census in southern Sudan. After deliberating extensively guided by the supreme interests of the country and inspired by the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement concluded with the following:

1- The census enumeration requires, by definition, to start at the same time in the whole country and to continue during the same period. This is why the presidency decided to commit its self to this principle and to observe it during the census.

2- The Presidency is the sole authority entitled to decide on census and to ensure coordination and consistency between different levels of government to complete the process of the census and its success.

3- After addressing developments that accompanied the time line to start the process of the census the Presidency has decided to begin the census on the night of Tuesday the twenty-second of April 2008 all over the country.

4- The Presidency directed the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan and the competent bodies to work together to mobilize more resources and to exert greater effort to overcome any obstacles to the voluntary return of displaced persons and ensure their safety.

5- All levels of government and the competent organs have to do their utmost to secure the census in all stages throughout the country and to provide the necessary resources to do so.

6- In view of the special nature of this census, the presidency directed the competent authorities to use surveys and the results of analysis of census to make clear how cultural and social diversity in the country so as to contribute to planning for a balanced and sustainable development, service delivery and promote positive values of diversity.

(ST)