Sudan’s NCP to advertise for Darfur referendum

October 29, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has decided to form a committee to campaign in coordination with the other political forces in support of the delivery of Darfur referendum in April 2016.

Several lawmakers called to postpone a referendum on the administrative status of the region saying the exercise will create a new turmoil in Darfur and also noted the huge financial cost of the referendum.

Others also, pointed that the national dialogue conference will discuss the current territorial administrative division and requested to postpone the referendum which was supposed to be held “no sooner than one year” after the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

NCP head of political sector Mustafa Osman Ismail announced Thursday the formation of a committee for the preparation of the referendum next April, pointing it is a commitment the government should honour in line with the DDPD which signed in July 2011.

In statements to the media after a meeting to discuss the plebiscite with the participation of the head of Darfur peace implementation office, Osman said the committee will also advertise to promote the referendum in coordination with the other political forces.

Observers close to the file in Khartoum say the organization of the referendum illustrates once again the deep divisions among the Darfurians, adding that those who are against the process are not part of the DDPD signatories.

Some rebels among the non-signatories of the Doha framework agreement say they are against the referendum because it would not express the will of Darfurians, pointing to the IDPs and refugees in Chad who will not participate in the vote.

Also the minister of information and government spokesperson Ahmed Osman al-Balal reiterated Thursday the need to hold the referendum in accordance with the DDPD which is signed with the Liberation and Justice Movement and Justice and Equality Movement – Dajbajo.

The DDPD provides that the permanent administrative status of Darfur be determined through a referendum.

The voters have to vote for the creation of a Darfur Region composed of the States of Darfur; or the retention of the status quo of States system.

(ST)