EU yet to discuss financial support for Sudan’s 2015 elections
November 24, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The European Union delegation in Khartoum said EU diplomats didn’t discuss financial support to the upcoming elections scheduled for April 2015 with the Sudanese electoral body.
A member of the National Election Commission (NEC) criticised the EU for setting preconditions for financial contribution to the organisation of the elections.
The EU stipulated an agreement between the government and the opposition parties over the electoral process, said NEC commissioner Safwat Subhi Fanous in statement to the semi-official SMC.
However reached by Sudan Tribune to comment on these statements the EU delegation said they organised a meeting on 9 November for the NEC commissioners with the EU embassies resident in Khartoum to brief them on the ongoing preparations for the 2015 elections.
Following the briefing, the Europeans diplomats pointed to the importance of conducting an inclusive and transparent electoral process in a conducive environment that would bring all the Sudanese parties on board, the mission said.
“The European Union called on the National Elections Commission to take into consideration the recommendations provided by the 2010 EU Electoral Observation Mission. EU funding for the electoral process in Sudan was not discussed at the briefing,” the delegation emphasised in a written email to Sudan Tribune on Monday.
Regarding the participation of European monitors on the next year elections, the EU countries said no decision had been made until now on whether the European Union would send an EU Electoral Observation Mission (EOM).
In 2010, the EU contributed to the funding of the general elections and sent a big monitoring mission composed of 130 observers to Sudan.
The EU says supportive for a comprehensive peace process and the national dialogue in Sudan.
(ST)