Sudan to release findings of international experts on the fifth census

April 10, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Committee for the follow-up and control of the Sudan fifth population census will announce tomorrow the conclusions and reports of international experts who had monitored the counting operations in its various stages.

Abdullah Al-Gilani, the head of the Monitoring Committee will hold a press conference on Saturday at the Council of States, to announce the reports and findings of foreign experts who watched the census operations.

The fifth Sudan Population and Housing Census was conducted from 22nd to 30th April 2008. It was the first all inclusive census for people of southern Sudan since the country’s independence in January 1956.

The fifth national census results are not published. Pagan Amum, secretary general of the Sudan People’s liberation Movement said that “discrepancies” are behind the delay in releasing the census results. He further suggested that previous census, particularly 1956 one, could be considered as basis to next year elections.

Some 34 international experts took part in the monitoring of the fifth census to verify the fair and impartial enumeration and post-enumeration of the population in accordance with international census standards.

They had to verify that the census is organized in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics adopted by the UN Statistical Commission in 1994 and with standards on data protection and confidentiality.

The International monitoring also aims at evaluating the methodology of the census preparation by the relevant authorities and at providing advice on appropriate modifications to ensure fair and impartial results of the census.

(ST)