EU sends 130 observers to monitor Sudan’s election

February 4, 2010 (BRUSSELS) — The European Union will send 130 observers to monitor Sudan’s key elections in April, an EU foreign affairs spokesperson said Thursday.

April election is a part of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) signed in January 2005 between the Sudanese government and former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement ending a two decade civil war in southern Sudan.

“The mission will be deployed on the ground in late February,” said the spokesman for EU foreign affairs Chief Catherine Ashton, who stressed that “It will be the biggest observation mission” for the European Union.

The 130-strong mission will be led by an as yet unnamed member of the European parliament, the spokesman added.

Up till now the Carter Foundation, founded by former US president Jimmy Carter, has been the sole international body authorized to observe the Sudanese electoral process, leaving many sources to complain that a bigger international presence was necessary.

Ten candidates including President Omer Al-Bashir will contest in Sudan’s April presidential poll.

(ST)