Sudan appoints Secretary General to referendum commission after long delay

September 2, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The referendum commission has today announced its pick for the post of the secretary general after a prolonged standoff between the ruling National Congress party (NCP) and the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) over whether it should be given to a figure from the North or South.

The head of the referendum commission Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil revealed that his peers at the body that will oversee the key vote, have unanimously agreed to nominate Mohamed Osman Al-Nijoumi for the position. Al-Nijoumi is a former diplomat who worked in the foreign ministry and the finance ministry as well.

Khalil said that the nomination will be presented to the presidency for final endorsement.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted Khalil as saying that finalizing the pick for secretary general is an important step which will mark completion of all the structures of the commission, adding that another decision will follow soon on formation of the assisting technical organs.

The head of the commission has initially been adamant about having Omer Al-Sheik who worked in the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) as the Secretary General.

However, the SPLM and Southern members of the commission have vehemently rejected the choice of Al-Sheik on the ground that they want a Southerner in that post and that the nominee is pro-NCP with a record of failing in conducting referendum in the Western Sahara.

Al-Sheik was angered by the personal attacks against him and asked Khalil to relieve him from the candidacy which was reluctantly accepted by the commission chief. The withdrawn candidate later issued a statement outlining the circumstances surrounding his nomination and threatening legal action against Southern members of the commission for smearing his reputation unless they make an apology.

The deadlock over the position has threatened to derail the already delayed preparations for referendum and many observers pointed out that it is almost impossible for the commission to finish its work before the date of the self-determination vote next January as stipulated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Furthermore, the NCP insists that agreements on post-referendum issues are made for the referendum to take place as planned particularly the issue of demarcating the borders. The SPLM warned that ant rescheduling to the plebiscite may force it to unilaterally declare independence.

Khalil however suggested today that the commission will be able to adhere to the timetable. He also disclosed that voting slips and other materials will be printed abroad in high quality to clear any doubts over the integrity of the process.

The commission chief also called on all the political powers to help the commission fulfil its mandate and help create a conducive atmosphere for the referendum.

(ST)