Sudan intends to run elections without Darfur – rebel official
July 6, 2008 (PARIS) — Sudanese government works to run the general elections in the country and intends to overcome the resolution of Darfur crisis at this stage, a senior rebel said. He further blamed the international community for supporting such choice.
He warned that ignoring the settlement of Darfur conflict and engaging the democratic transition would have serious repercussions in the future; “it could also lead to a long war and threaten the unity of the Sudan.” He said.
According to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM, Sudan has to hold presidential, legislative elections before July 2009 also the same year the governors and the states parliaments should be elected.
The Sudanese parliament will vote on Monday the text of elections law and the country will stage electoral campaign for June 2009 elections.
Last February, Information Secretariat official in the NCP, Kamal Obeid, Minister of State for Information said that general elections can be run without the participation of Darfuri due to the political instability in the region.
He further said “Sudan in different periods didn’t hold elections in some parts of the country but this didn’t prevent the election of a responsible parliament.
Ahmed Tugud also blamed the collusion of the international community and particularly the United States with Khartoum. He further said that the International community works to end violence in Darfur through the deployment of the hybrid force in order to restore security in the region leaving the political solution to the after general elections.
The senior rebel official warned that the focus on the security aspect without addressing the political concerns is a wrong orientation towards the settlement of Darfur crisis.
“If the security is restored in Darfur, the government will definitely not respond to the demands of Darfuri and will not resolve their plight.” Ahmed said.
He also said that “under this regime there would not be fair elections and democratic transition would not take place in the country.”
Tugud said his movement is poised to begin peace talks with the government at any time. Also he added that JEM exerts efforts to reunite the different rebel groups to establish a large political and military front founded on the principles concerns of Darfur people.
On May 10, the Sudanese government repulsed an attack carried out by the Justice and Equality Movement and accused Chad of backing JEM in its attempt.
(ST)