URRP Press Release Regarding US Special Envoy to Sudan?

We are greatly concerned over the actions and statements of the Special Envoy of the United States of America to Sudan, Mr. Scott Gration.

We in the Umma Party and the Sudanese National Consensus Forces have made it clear to Mr. Scott Gration that the elections that the National Congress Party insists to impose on April 11, 2010 are partial and farcical elections devoid of the minimum fundamental requirements of a free and fair election.

Mr. Gration deliberately disregarded the fundamental articles of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, to which the United States is guarantor, that stipulate the restructuring of state organs and the abrogation of all laws contravening the bill of rights founded in the CPA and enshrined in the Constitution. These articles are fundamental in furnishing the ground for a free and fair election.

Mr. Gration has ignored the serious revelations of the Carter Center’s report outlining grave irregularities in the electoral registry; the National Election Commission’s refusal to hand over the electoral registry for audit and their reduction of the total number of polling stations by 60%, constraining access to those voting for non-NCP parties. This information was overlooked by the Special Envoy together with that which was given by the opposition forces concerning the Electoral Commission’s transfer of the tender award for ballot card printing from the international firm which was the legitimate winner of the tender to the NCP-controlled Sudanese Currency Printing Press, placing the entire election process in the hands of the NCP.

Mr. Gration has failed to heed the opposition’s warnings about the blatant bias of the Electoral Commission towards the NCP and has chosen to ignore our caution regarding the fragile political and legal environment in the country; the dispute over the population census; and the shaky state of security in Darfur and continued state of emergency together with renewed violence in the area; all of which stand to hinder the election process and reduce its legitimacy.

In spite of our warnings, Mr. Gration continues, in the name of the United States of America to publicly advocate this flawed election, defend the Electoral Commission and the NCP, leading President Omer El-Bashir to “laud the position of the United States in support of the NCP”.

These elections which Mr. Gration publicly supports are meant to falsify the will of the Sudanese people and reproduce the NCP dictatorial rule in a democratic robe thus escalating the crisis of governance in the country, and threatening the stability of Sudan’s structure through a continuation of the war in Darfur and a return to war in south Sudan.

Mr. Gration is so engrossed in ceding to the will of the NCP and ensuring the convention of the elections in April that he has shown clear disregard for their credibility – now simply referring to the importance of holding “elections” on time – divisively neglecting the words “free and fair”.
We call on the United States of America to come true with its commitment to democracy and support for the CPA and the values of freedom, justice and equality for which the United States of America is renowned.

Mubarak El-Mahdi Chairman – Umma Party Sudan