Sudanese political parties, civil society groups discuss referendum code of conduct
December 20, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Representatives from different political parties and civil society organizations met in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum to discuss the common code of conduct, developed to guide the referenda and popular consultations in the country.
The October 18 meeting was organized by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP); the body which developed the code in consultation with the political parties’ affairs council and civil society organizations.
The code seeks to guide the conduct of political parties, civic and media organizations and other promoters of the referenda and popular consultations, and builds on the democratic principles that were adopted in the March 2010 Electoral Code of Conduct.
The 130 participants, according to a statement from the AUHIP, stressed the importance of adequate preparation and civic education for the referendum, citing peaceful referendum process and sustained peace during the post-referendum period as being essential.
“The participants pledged to promote a peaceful referendum process and to disseminate the code of conduct. They resolved to hold another meeting in January, before the referendum,” the December 19 press release partly reads.
The AUHIP, however, remains optimistic that with the commitment political parties and civic organizations have demonstrated towards civic education and democratic values, both the January referendum and peaceful consultations will take place successfully.
Members of the panel, headed by former South African president, Thabo Mbeki also pledged to continue supporting all Sudanese stakeholders in their preparations for the referenda and popular consultations.
The self-determination referendum, due on January 9, is a key part of Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended over two-decades of a bloody civil war fought between north and south of the country.
(ST)