Administrative referendum will not be “credible expression” of Darfur will : U.S.
April 9, 2016 (WASHINGTON) – The U.S. State Department on Saturday said holding a referendum to determine the administrative status of Darfur under the current conditions will not help to achieve peace in western Sudan region.
In a vote to take place on 11-13 April, Darfur’s resident are called to say if they want to re-establish one unified administration or to maintain the current five states.
The referendum is supported by the former rebel groups that become part of the federal government in Khartoum, but Darfur rebel groups and Sudanese opposition parties say peace should be prioritized before. But the government persists that the plebiscite is part of the signed peace agreements.
“The United States expresses serious concern regarding the Government of Sudan’s plans to conduct a referendum (..) over the political future of Darfur,” said US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner.
“If held under current rules and conditions, a referendum on the status of Darfur cannot be considered a credible expression of the will of the people of Darfur. Moreover, it will undermine the peace process now under way,” Toner further said.
The American diplomat explained the position of his government, pointing to insecurity in the region and “inadequate registration” of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as over 100.000 people have recently fled the fighting in Jebel Marra area.
“Furthermore, the Darfur Referendum Commission’s recent announcement that Darfurians residing outside of Darfur will be ineligible to vote disenfranchises millions of Darfurians, refugees, and IDPs,” he emphasized.
Washington and the Troika countries on Friday called on four opposition group including two Darfur armed movements to join a roadmap for comprehensive peace and democratic reforms brokered by an African Union mediation team and signed by the Sudanese government on 21 March 2016.
The statement said that a viable peace in Sudan will only be attained through addressing the root-causes of Darfur conflict in a genuine national dialogue that include all Sudanese forces.
“The announced Darfur Referendum will contradict these key objectives and the broader goal of peace and stability in Darfur”.
Some Darfurians members of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) called to postpone the referendum saying the administrative status can be settled though the national dialogue process.
(ST)