Darfur JEM expects postponement of April elections in wake of accord
February 20, 2010 (WASHINGTON) – The Sudanese government will likely agree to postponing the elections again following the recent agreement it signed with the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a senior rebel figure said today.
The accord is not a final peace agreement but rather sets groundwork on which negotiations can commence. Items include humanitarian issues, IDP’s, wealth and power sharing, release of Darfuri war prisoners.
Today Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir said he would annul death sentences handed out to JEM prisoners and free 30 percent of them immediately. More than 100 men were sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of taking part in a JEM attack on Khartoum in 2008.
A senior JEM official speaking to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity said that the matter was discussed during talks between rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim and Sudanese presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Al-Deen in Chad this week.
“Any elections held under the circumstances the country is going through would be meaningless and will have no bearing whatsoever on improving the situation in Darfur or Sudan as a whole,” the official said.
“We do not recognize the census or the demarcation of geographical constituencies or the voter registration process and Khartoum knows very well our position. In the interest of peace the NCP must agree to reschedule the elections,” he added.
The official said that it is “all but certain” that Khartoum will agree to the postponement revealing that Ghazi’s tone was less dogmatic about holding the elections on time contrary to government known position on the matter.
But Amin Hassan Omer the head of the government delegation was quoted by Sudan news agency (SUNA) as saying that only the electoral committee has the authority to make a decision about postponing the elections.
This week NCP officials at a meeting with former South African president Thabo Mbeki ruled out any talk about postponing the elections partially or fully.
Observers say that if elections are delayed then the earliest they can be held is in November following the rainy season in large parts of Sudan. However any such move will cast doubts over the 2011 self determination referendum in the South of the country.
South Sudan has been staunchly resistant to any talk about moving back the referendum under any circumstances. The Sudan people Liberation Movement (SPLM) is taking part in the elections on all levels. Its presidential candidate is the deputy Secretary General Yasir Arman who is believed to be one of the forerunners against Bashir.
(ST)
MJriaksdca
Darfur JEM expects postponement of April elections in wake of accord
I didn’t hear that! What? Postponing the election in April!!!
Come on Arabs, you think we so foolish to accept that again! I can’t wait for SPLM respond to this bunch of nonsense.
SPLM has proven naive and is going to do it again. Will it stomach this trash?
Gatjang
Darfur JEM expects postponement of April elections in wake of accord
This is another bullshit, this election must be held. The deal NCP had with Darfuri has nothing to do with people in the south. This is Arabs propaganda, and should not be tolerated by Southerners. Mr. Bashir is losing the election and falling so bad, therefore, he need ways to gain ground again.
Gatwech
Darfur JEM expects postponement of April elections in wake of accord
Ahahahahahaaaaa…..
And this means Salvatore Kiir Miyerdit will NEVER be sworn in as the next and first ELECTED president in the South.
Let him rule the South using his leadership he got by Al-Bashir’s appointment and with his careker governors in the South until…..
babadit
Darfur JEM expects postponement of April elections in wake of accord
Did i hear people talk about Posponing Eelction in sudan ?
no way , let them try else were but not in sudan
Time1
Darfur JEM expects postponement of April elections in wake of accord
The peace deal between JEM (Darfur) and (NCP)Northerners is a good step forward, but the elections cannot be postphone just because the KEM wants it to be postphone, they should have joined the election train earlier, so it is their fault, they will have to wait for the next election not this one, because alot of resources financially, logistical and human resource and preparations have been put into this election, therefore it cannot be cancelled or postphone just because JEM says so. Will JEM fund the postphonement process financially or logistically?
kuminyandi
Darfur JEM expects postponement of April elections in wake of accord
Dear Southerners,
The postponement of election is in favour of SPLM Yassir Arman because many people in Darfur area did not register for this election. And by postponing the election it would give a good leverage to Aramn to collect more votes from marginalised areas as the registrations will pick up from Darfur. So do not panick & do not give up the hope yet ; we are still at good track. SPLM and Referendum will come around.
Kumi,