The BBC reports that the South Sudanese army have pledged to demobilise all child soldiers by the end of the year.
The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) hopes to achieve this by using the newly established child protection unit. The BBC quotes William Deng, head of the south's commission for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration pledging that 'The SPLA by the end of this year will be child-free'.
Lise Grande, the UN's humanitarian co-ordinator, cautiously welcomed the SPLA's move and acknowledged 'the impressive steps forward that the SPLA have taken'. The BBC stresses that this is an ambitious but achievable goal. The UN children's agency estimates that the SPLA, thought to have already discharged more than 20,000 children, still includes about 900 in its ranks.
Stop Genocide Now have released a video and campaign action targeting President Obama. The organisation calls for the US President to seize the moment for implementing 'a Sudan policy which, as you promised in 2008, leads a process for peace, helps prevent another deadly war in Africa, and holds those responsible for crimes against humanity to account'. Supporters are encouraged to repost this video on Facebook and to contact the White House about Sudan.
African think-tank meets today to discuss possible "painful split" of Sudan into two countries
25 August 2010
As Sudan faces the prospect of possibly being split into two countries and giving painful birth to a new nation, world-leading scholar-diplomats on Africa's largest country will be speaking at a meeting hosted by the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR) in Cape Town today. The meeting will be chaired by Ambassador James Jonah, former UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs.
Sudanese scholar-diplomat and Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Professor Francis Deng, will introduce his new book Sudan at the Brink: Self-Determination and National Unity. Dr Jan Pronk, a former UN special representative for Sudan and former minister for development cooperation in the Netherlands, and Ambassador Richard Williamson, a former US special envoy to Sudan will both speak.
The focus of the event will be 'the implications of South Sudan’s forthcoming self-determination vote' and 'a host of key post-referendum issues – such as security arrangements, sharing of water assets and oil revenues, and decisions about currency and national capitals'.
With the release of a new video from Stop Genocide Now, Sudan Now, a campaign led by a group of anti-genocide and human rights advocacy organizations including Enough, is running ads in both The New York Times—out today—and the Vineyard Gazette (Friday) as part of a new campaign that aims to influence President Obama’s upcoming decision on the future direction of U.S. policy in Sudan.
Enough states that 'President Obama’s decision comes at a critical moment. The Darfur peace process has fallen apart as the security situation deteriorates, and four short months remain before a referendum that could split Sudan into two takes place'.
The ads, as well as a letter signed by 68 organizations, asks the president to choose a strategy that employs a balance of both incentives and pressures to urge Sudanese actors toward full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and a sustainable peace agreement in Darfur. Twenty-one years of history with the Sudanese regime demonstrates that U.S.-led multilateral leverage and support to coordinated international negotiations can achieve meaningful results.
Go to Enough to email or tweet President Obama, asking him to choose the proven and effective policy for Sudan, Facebook the White House page and post: "Mr. President, please make the right decision on Sudan. Act on Sudan Now. www.SudanActionNow.com" or a message of your own.
The paper’s authors, the Enough Project’s John Prendergast and Laura Jones, identify areas where the United States has leverage that it is currently under-utilizing. They suggest that the National Congress Party's (NCP) desire for legitimacy and normalised relations with the US, the ICC arrest warrants for the President and other NCP officials, NCP's debt issues, China's economic interest in a peaceful Sudan, and Egypt's need for reassurance over water should be the foci for the US government in its work on Sudan.
The report stresses that the United States could be creating additional leverage if it adopted a 'unified' and 'vastly enhanced diplomatic strategy which in itself would support A.U-U.N efforts'. This strategy should be 'focused on peace', and should include the support of a single draft negotiation text for a comprehensive agreement for Darfur, internal diplomatic support for Sudan on post-referendum issues and unresolved aspects of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and efforts to harmonise joint international support of Sudan.
In her blog, Jones explains 'If the U.S. and the international community don’t quickly realize the link that exists between the image they are presenting and the leverage that they possess, there doesn’t seem to be much hope that the current negotiations will bring change for the people of Sudan'.
Enough is a project working to end genocide and crimes against humanity.
SPLM to boycott referendum meeting with Sudanese president
19 August 2010
In less than six months time, people from Sudan’s oil-producing south are due to vote in a referendum on whether they should secede and form Africa’s newest nation; a plebiscite promised under a 2005 accord that ended decades of north-south civil war.
However, the Sudan Tribune reports that the former rebel group the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) have refused to take part in an already delayed meeting called for by Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir to discuss preparations for the referenda. The party's deputy secretary Yasir Arman described the meeting as 'more of an NCP leadership meeting than a joint meeting of political powers that allows everyone to reach a consensus and come with a joint vision'.
With it very likely that the South will opt for secession, the SPLM and other opposition parties have been pushing for a broadened agenda at today's meeting that would include discussions on the insisted Darfur crisis, a deteriorating economic situation for most of the population, democratic transformation and political freedoms.
Meanwhile the Umma Party headed by Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi has also rejected Bashir’s invitation, saying it was addressed to its leader and not to the party. The NCP said that an arrangement known as the 'Four Freedoms' cannot be put in place between the North and South in the event of secession. This agreement, which has faced opposition from the Egyptian Parliament, would allow citizens from Egypt and Sudan to have the right to work, reside, own and move freely between the two countries. At a meeting hosted by Cairo last month between the NCP and the SPLM, it was suggested that a similar accord between the North and South should be put in place in the event of a post-separation state.
This article has been modified from an entry that first appeared in the Sudan Tribune.
The UN reports on a string of recent incidents that have contributed to a worsening of the situation in Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region, and particularly in the Kalma camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nyala, South Darfur.
'Continued attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers and abductions and mistreatment of UN staff and humanitarian workers will only aggravate the situation' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson said in a statement. He was refering to the abduction of two police advisors who serve with the joint UN-AU peacekeeping force (UNAMID).
The secretary-General called on the Sudanese Government 'to apprehend and bring to justice those who attack UN staff and humanitarian workers and to take all possible measures to ensure that humanitarian access to all Sudanese remains open and humanitarian space protected'.
Violence erupted at the camp late last month following the latest round of peace talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, aimed at bringing an end to the Darfur conflict, with some of the camp’s residents saying they were not fully represented. Humanitarian access to Kalma camp has been limited, meaning an estimated 82,000 people have not had access to UN or NGO support. Approximately 100,000 people affected by fighting in the eastern Jebel Marra region have been unreachable since February.
The British Government has issued a statement which 'strongly condemns' the kidnapping, and expresses deep concern 'at the fragile security and humanitarian situation ... the delivery of humanitarian aid has been obstructed for two weeks. This has created an unacceptable situation'. However, Tom Porteous at Human Rights Watch draws attention to recent remarks made by the UK's Africa minister Henry Bellingham, that suggest the UK is prioritising trade over the protection and promotion of human rights and justice.
Porteous notes that whilst trade stimulates wealth and economic development, trade with corrupt and abusive governments can strengthen and legitimise their leaders. In the case of Sudan, exploitation of oil resources has fomented armed conflict and serious human rights abuses. Whilst international outcry against abuses tied to the development of oil resources led to developed countries and their companies adapting their relationship with Sudan, in the last twenty years the National Congress party 'consolidated its domination of most industrial and commercial interests', there is 'little to indicate that Sudan's oil bonanza has been used for the benefit of Sudan's people'.
Porteous concludes that as increasing business ties with Sudan sends a very positive message to Sudanese leaders, it is crucial that 'Britain should explain what kind of business it wants to pursue in Sudan and what kind of guarantees it has in place to ensure that increased trade there will not benefit war criminals'.
Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights.
'No-one wants to stay on the wrong side of the border.'
Matthew Abujin, the southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) secretary in charge of Central Equatoria has expressed concern that a huge influx of IDPs [internally displaced persons] will return south with the vote on southern independence in January.
In Central Equatoria, some 25,000 out of 47,579 people who are registered as displaced have so far returned to the food-starved region, and many of them have expressed a desire to return. There have already been clashes in Khorfulus after the April elections forced an emergency food distribution.
The World Food Programme runs the biggest food distribution operation in the region, but had planned to halve the number of beneficiaries in July. It has only been able to continue after US$30 million was donated by the UK. At this point, Jonglei, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Eastern Equatoria states are all at risk of severe food shortages.
During a visit where he pledged more food aid, Henry Bellingham, the British Minister for Africa and the UN said 'it’s up to government to bring stability'. Augustino Areeno, adviser on peace and unity to the state governor, stressed that with frequent seasonal instability, poor food security, inflated food prices, few hardy crops, and poorly cultivated land in the south, additional population influxes needed further support and to be planned for.
With five months to go until the referendum on the future of Sudan, the commission organizing the crucial southern independence referendum has requested the vote be delayed on technical grounds, while the chief negotiator for the south insisted that is not an option.
Fathi Sheila, spokesman for the northern National Congress Party headed by President Omar al-Bashir, said the commission in charge of organizing the vote has asked the two parties to approve a delay, explaining that 'The commission doesn't see that it practically has enough time' to prepare for the referendum expected in January. The two parties have to agree to a delay'.
However, Associated Press reports that tensions are rising over the stalled preparations for the southern vote, and the SPLM has suggested that the northern government is deliberately delaying the process to negatively impact or even derail the referendum.
Pagan Amum, Secretary General of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement, said in an interview that his party would continue to engage the north to overcome obstacles to the scheduled January 9th vote, and stressed that if the referendum 'process is obstructed, (there) will not be postponement'.
On 9 January 2010 a global drumbeat echoed around the world as people across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas came together to call on their governments to prevent a return to serious, widespread conflict in Africa’s biggest country, Sudan. In 2011 Sudan faces one of the most momentous events in African history: the landmark referendum in January when South Sudan will vote on whether to become an independent country.
This beat for peace was led by Phil Selway of Radiohead, Jonny Quinn of Snow Patrol, Stewart Copeland of The Police, Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, the renowned Egyptian drummer Yehia Khalil, Egyptian music star Mohammed Munir and Mustapha Tettey Addy from Ghana who has been drumming since the 1970s. Maxi Jazz from Faithless also features in the film, using music to bring the world together on the issue of Sudan.
The resulting video – ‘A Beat for Peace’, produced by Jamie Catto and Splinter Films – featured on the YouTube homepage and received over 100,000 hits in its first day.
Simultaneous Sudan365 drumming events were held in Mali, Senegal, London, New York, San Francisco, Cairo, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Togo, Sierra Leone, Canada, Italy, Norway, Turkey, Kenya, Germany and South Sudan – making it a truly global beat for peace.
The campaign has already succeeded in getting commitments from the US, UK, Norway (who all helped to negotiate the original peace agreement), EU, African Union and the League of Arab States to increase their diplomatic engagement to prevent conflict. Head over to our Get Involvedpage to find out how you can support the Beat for Peace.
Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration begins in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal
12 August 2010
The United Nations reports that over 150 ex-combatants have been demobilised in Aweil, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State, following the launch of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme there by the Southern Sudan DDR Commission in late July. Another 2,600 ex-combatants in Aweil are expected to be demobilised by mid-November. The International Organization for Migration will be assisting in the process.
In a symbolic demonstration of the demobilisation, 10 ex-combatants handed over their weapons, went through the 10-step demobilization process and were awarded a demobilisation certificate.
Acting State Governor Wany Anyit congratulated the Commission and the UN for their work, emphasising that 'those who have just received certificates, we as citizens of this nation appreciate your sacrifices and what you have done in 20 plus years to … let our children go to school again without fear'.
To date, an estimated 5,800 ex-combatants have been demobilised in Southern Sudan and another 9,000 in the Three Areas of Blue Nile and South Kordofan states as well as Abyei.
The case against reinstating Pre-Print Censorship in Sudan
10 August 2010
Two days ago, the head of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), Mohammed Atta, lifted the stringent pre-print censorship policy through which the content of Sudanese newspapers is reviewed nightly prior to publication by NISS agents.
The practice, which has been used intermittently by security authorities since February 2008, has most recently been in place since May. Several newspapers have been subject to pre-print censorship, with some remaining closed over charges of breaching national security and inciting sedition. In one day, on the 6th of July, the Alahdath,Altihaar, Akhbar Alyoum, and Alhurra newspapers were all suspended, whilst a sixth newspaper, Alantibaha, was closed.
Besides heavy censoring of newspaper content, since February there have been widespread attacks on journalists, the removing of journalists' credentials, as well as incidents of arrest and torture, with some journalists still in detention.
In a statement issued today, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies welcomed NISS’ announcement to halt censorship as a positive step, but called for more international attention to be paid to the issue of freedom of expression in Sudan, especially as Atta affirmed that the NISS "reserves its constitutional right to reinstate censorship whenever the necessity arises".
The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Africa, London and New York and devoted to promoting human rights in Sudan.
Sudan Tribune journalist receives Human Rights Watch award
10 August 2010
Sudan Tribune journalist Manyang Mayom and two other Sudanese journalists* have been awarded Human Rights Watch's journalism award. The prize, a grant for future work, is given to those ‘whose work and activism have been suppressed by their governments’.
Usually reporting from Rumbek, Mayom's investigations into a range of issues, including abuses by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the police, have seen him 'beaten, arrested, intimidated and harassed on numerous occasions by security services in southern Sudan'.
Mayom described the award as 'an answer for others in the media who are afraid to write what they want'.
*Other recipients were Darfuri Activist Awaif Ahmed Issag Osman and Veteran Journalist Alhaj Warrag Sidahmed.
This article first appeared in the Sudan Tribune. Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights.
UN peacekeeping chief calls for stepped-up efforts ahead of Sudan referenda
4 August 2010
Alain LeRoy, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations at the UN, told reporters in New York that the smooth functioning of referendum commissions in Sudan was 'absolutely crucial if we want to have a peaceful sequence in the Sudan for the coming months'.
He stressed that a combined effort was needed: 'weare still pushing the parties and requesting the parties to accelerate their own preparations'.
The Small Arms Survey has launched a new 'Sudan Facts and Figures' web resource that synthesizes and presents more than four years of field-based research and analysis on armed groups, arms flows, and arms holdings in Sudan, as well as the Darfur peace process.
The site not only provides easy access to useful facts, data, and maps contained in the more than three dozen HSBA Issue Briefs and Working Papers already published, but also presents current, field-based updates on key developments in Sudan's security scene, including who's who lists of armed opposition groups.
The EU has issued a 13 point statement on Sudan. Drawing attention to major challenges and opportunities facing the region, the Council focused on broader issues surrounding its humanitarian and development commitments to Sudan, as well as stressing its particular support for the elections in January.
The EU also commits to sending an Election Observer Mission to Sudan for the referenda, with the Mission looking into improvements regarding voter registration, the neutrality of security services and armed forces, freedom of media and respect of Human Rights and regarding the transparency of the overall process.
EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy makes statement on Al-Bashir
22 July 2010
The spokesperson of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton issued the following statement today:
HR/VP is concerned by the visit of President Omar Al-Bashir to Chad, a State party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ... She urges Chad to respect its obligations under international law to arrest and surrender those indicted by the ICC. The European Union is a staunch supporter of the ICC and the fight against impunity. The most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, must not go unpunished and their prosecution must be ensured by measures at both domestic and international level.
Amnesty investigates Sudan's National Security Service
19 July 2010
Agents of Fear, a report into on the National Security Service, was launched today by Amnesty International. The summary describes Human rights violations, including secret detention and torture as having created 'a climate of fear in Sudan'. Looking at the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in particular, Amnesty stresses that
Without substantive changes in Sudan’s national security laws and practices, the situation of human rights in Sudan will not improve. As long as the powers and immunities of the NISS are maintained, there is no hope of seeing an end to arbitrary arrests, prolonged incommunicado detentions, torture and other ill-treatment, and deaths in custody.
Hundreds of revellers wielding homemade drums, djembes and dustbin lids are expected to turn Latitude festival’s waterfront into a giant drumming flashmob this Sunday 18 July. This is just one of the Beat for Peace events being held at festivals over the summer. With a few more still to go, find out how you can get involved in calling for peace in Sudan.
With six months until the referenda, a joint report from leading organisations campaigning on and working in Sudan lays out ten priorities for those working towards the referenda in January. The report calls for 'more to be done now to bring the requisite diplomatic, financial, and technical resources ... for the referenda and, after the vote, to improve Sudan’s stability and dire state of human development', stressing that
The vote must be managed with extreme care. The Guarantors to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), who invested considerable effort in obtaining the CPA on 9 January 2005, have both a responsibility and an ability to help Sudan implement the CPA and prevent further conflict ... The experiences of recent years have demonstrated that focusing on one part of Sudan at the expense of another complicates the situation in both.
Citizenship rules, and the potential for post-secession problems in Sudan
13 July 2010
Human Rights scholar and lawyer Nasredeen Abdulbari's latest piece on Citizenship Rules in Sudan and Post Secession Problems discusses the concept of citizenship in Sudan. Framing his discussion in the context of Sudanese and Southern Sudanese interim constitutions, Abdulbari sheds light on the applications of the law and the possible scenarios should the South become an independent nation. Arguing that a set of legal rules that organize nationality issues in Sudan and Southern Sudan are inconsistent with general nationality principles, Abdulbari suggests that post-secession violations will be difficult to avoid. However, Abdulbari does identify a series of measures that the main parties to the National Unity Government might take to avert such violations and secure peaceful and neighborly relations in the years to come. Nasredeen Abdulbari is a Sudanese lawyer currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a senior researcher at the Rift Valley Institute (RVI).
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Sudan Troika issue statement on Sudan
12 July 2010
The Sudan Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have issued a statement on the final year of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, emphasising the 'tremendous amount of work ... required to ensure continued peace and stability in Sudan beyond the expiry of the CPA'. The Troika stress that
'The next year presents great challenges but also great opportunities for Sudan. Now is the time to look forward, not backward, to achieve a lasting peace ... [we] reaffirm our support for credible, peaceful referenda in January 2011, the outcomes of which are respected by all. We congratulate the members of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission on their appointment and urge them quickly to begin planning this important event, and to take full advantage of the international assistance available.'
Whilst they urge for the commission to focus on border demarcation, the appointment of the Abyei Commission and other key issues for stability, the Troika are positive about the initial discussions on post-referendum relationships by the parties and urge an acceleration of these discussions 'to ensure a solid foundation for long-term friendly and sustainable relations between North and South no matter the outcome'.
Their statement also expresses concern at 'the actions of the Sudanese Authorities since the election, which have further undermined civil and political rights, including the arrest of opposition politicians, journalists and peaceful protestors' and the deterioration of security for the population in Darfur with an increase in inter-tribal fighting.
Whilst a working group for Abyei has not been set up, the Referendum commission for the South has been formed on July 10th.
The joint NCP-SPLM task force started their work under the auspices of the AU, and the Southern Sudan Referendum task Force, chaired by vice president Riek Macher, also held their first meetings in Juba last week, while President Salwa Kiir was for medical check ups in Nairobi.
You can read the full statement by Thabo Mbeki here.
Pressure group takes referendum campaign to remote villages
6 July 2010
In Alek, in the Gogrial West county of Warrap state, Southern Sudan, church leaders, youth, women, local activists and the elderly are taking their referendum campaign to remote villages. Visiting three villages (Riang Athieng, Ameth and Atukuel, a home village of ex-Warrap State governor, Tor Deng Mawien), Wek Agoth, a primary head teacher, described the group’s work as a way of preparting the local population ahead of the actual date of the referendum, rather than an explicitly pro-independence project.
'This is a non-political pressure group. It is a local initiative meant to prepare our people to be ready for actual date of the conduct of referendum ... we realised that most of our people everywhere I go are inadequately informed and therefore do not know what the referendum means to them.'
In October 2009, the central government of Sudan and the Southern Sudan government stated that voter turnout for the Southern Sudan referendum would have to be 60 percent in order for the exercise to be valid.
Observer group pledges commitment towards Referendum
6 July 2010
The Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (SuNDE), a domestic non-partisan observer body, has pledged its full commitment towards ensuring good participation in Sudan’s referendumn at the registration, voting and result stages. Mr. Edmond Yakani, the SuNDE Coordinator stated
"SuNDE pledges to document and report to the public the findings of its observation efforts. SuNDE’s observation of the 2011 referendum will help promote transparency and build public confidence in the process."
The group is optimistic that the referendum will be conducted peacefully, in accordance with the international standards for elections. However, the organisation did note that preparations for January 2011 remain far behind schedule. SuNDE are pressing for Sudan’s Government of National Unity to form an independent Referendum Commission tasked with overseeing key election processes.
The group is optimistic that the referendum will be conducted peacefully, in accordance with the international standards for elections. However, the organisation did note that preparations for January 2011 remain far behind schedule. SuNDE are pressing for Sudan’s Government of National Unity to form an independent Referendum Commission tasked with overseeing key election processes.
This story first appeared at the Sudan Tribune. SuNDE is a non-partisan coalition of over 75 Sudanese civil society organizations, and the largest domestic monitoring organization in Southern Sudan.
Negotiations between north and south Sudan must include a fair and transparent oil deal, says Global Witness
5 July 2010
A fair and transparent arrangement for sharing and monitoring the revenues from Sudan’s oil fields should be 'a top priority' for negotiators from north and south Sudan says Global Witness. With talks mediated by the African Union being held today, the organisation stresses that this is the time to lay out what will happen if the south votes for independence in January’s referendum.
The 2005 peace agreement that brought an end to the war between north and south Sudan contained an innovative oil wealth sharing agreement in which the south gets half of the revenues from the oil wells in the south. The $8 billion that have flowed from north to south as a result have played a large part in stopping that peace agreement from falling apart, and when there has been suspicion over the fairness of sharing (October 2007), the CPA has come close to falling apart.
With the deal likely to come to an end in January at the same time that the referendum on southern independence is likely to see a landslide vote in favour of secession, Global Witness emphasises the need for independent oil monitors. If a new country is created, it will be an impoverished state that is heavily dependent on oil revenues, yet also dependent on former foes in north in order to export its oil. Transparency over oil revenues will be critical to preventing a return to war. While there are numerous important issues to be discussed at the negotiations which start in Ethiopia today, facilitated by the African Union, Global Witness stresses that the key issue is what happens to the country’s oil. The US Special Envoy to Sudan, General Scott Gration, has stated that without a new oil deal and an agreement on the north-south boundary, the odds of a return to violence are very high. Global Witness campaigner Rosie Sharpe said “The precariousness of the situation cannot be overstated. Half of the Sudanese government’s domestic revenue comes from oil, yet most of the oil fields are in the south which could be an independent country next year. Both sides appear to be preparing for the worst, with armies stationed on the border.
There is a clear and present need for the negotiators to address what will happen to the oil, whatever the result of the referendum ... There is such a lot of money at stake and such a lot of mistrust between the two parties, any new oil deal has to have checks and balances in it in order to ensure that it is strong and transparent enough to encourage peace and cooperation. It the deal goes wrong it is difficult to see it ending in anything but a fight for control of the oil fields.
Global Witness investigates and campaigns to prevent natural resource-related conflict and corruption and associated environmental and human rights abuses. Our recommendations on Sudan’s new oil deal derive from our investigations into the country’s current oil wealth sharing agreement; our experience in working on oil and transparency issues in other countries including Angola, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Cambodia and East Timor; our experience in setting up the Publish What You Pay coalition of NGOs; and our pivotal role in shaping the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
The latest Human Rights Watch report has just been launched. Examining April's election, this substantial analysis makes some blunt conclusions on international response to the elections:
International observers and diplomatic missions have failed to explicitly and resolutely criticize these documented human rights and electoral abuses, or to call for accountability and reform. The US and EU have been relatively muted in their criticism, expressing concern about voting “irregularities,” circumscribed political freedoms, and elections that fall short of international standards. But they have not condemned the widespread abuses, nor have they pressed for accountability and reforms. Meanwhile, the Arab League ... (AU), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)—a seven-country regional organization based in East Africa—have issued statements that failed to mention election-related abuses at all.
Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights.
Report assesses challenges to reintegration in Southern Sudan
25 June 2010
In a report just released by the Small Arms Survey on reintegration in Southern Sudan, an updated assessment is made of economic and social recovery and development, the management of the overall and specific reintegration of ex-combatants into social and economic life, and the impact of reintegration on efforts in community security, peace-building, small arms control, policing, security sector reform (SSR), and other security-related areas.
The report finds that many specific strategies for integration required by target groups are not currently in place, not least because, despite the work of the Southern Sudan DDR Commission (SSDDRC) to identify and address weaknesses in the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process, 'reintegration started before sufficient planning was in place'.
The report examines how procedures are being reworked in light of lessons learned during the first months of DDR, but ultimately finds that the level of communication, coordination, and cooperation among national and international DDR stakeholders at the state, Juba, and national levelS, whilst improved, remaininadequate.
The Small Arms Survey is an independent research project located at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. Established in 1999, the project is supported by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and by sustained contributions from the Gov- ernments of Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The World Bank has issued a country report on Sudan where it states that
'The CPA has gone a long way to create some enabling institutions for sustained peace and prosperity in Sudan.'
The report goes on to break down what the 'reorientation of the role of the State in productive sectors' might look like. The World Bank stresses that this reorientation that will 'enhance political stability and sustain more broad-based growth' but that it requires 'strong political buy- in at the highest level and efficient implementation of the agreed policies'. Progress also depends on 'adequate progress in the decentralisation agenda' and 'inclusive development' on the part of sub-national governments.
'The CPA has gone a long way to create some enabling institutions for sustained peace and prosperity in Sudan.'
However, the report stresses that there is a need for the 'reorientation of the role of the State in productive sectors' and goes on to assess what this might look like, running through a range of factors, including political instability, the oil driven boom and bust cycle, public sector growth and the impact of global recession.
The World Bank stresses that this reorientation will 'enhance political stability and sustain more broad-based growth' but that it requires 'strong political buy-in at the highest level and efficient implementation of the agreed policies'. Progress also depends on 'adequate progress in the decentralisation agenda' and 'inclusive development' on the part of sub-national governments.
Top UN officials in Sudan call for more political support in year ahead
14 June 2010
“Sudan needs to be encouraged and assisted to expand the democratic space opened by the recent elections and establish a broad-based system of national governance that leads to a more equitable society and durable peace.”
Reporting to the United Nations' Security Council today, Haile Menkerios, head of the UN Mission in Sudan, along with other senior United Nations officials, urged that the international community take a more active role in promoting democracy after the recent national elections, particularly ahead of next year’s referendum on possible southern secession.
They also stressed the need to focus on stabilizing the increasingly violent Darfur region. You can read the full report here.
George Clooney and John Prendergast urge Obama Administration to Take Steps to Avoid Total War in Sudan
10 June 2010
George Clooney and John Prendergast have co-authored a USA Today Op-ed calling on the Obama administration to take steps to avoid a total war in Sudan.
Writing in the current edition of USA Today, the most widely read national newspaper in the US with a daily readership of 6.2 million, actor and activist George Clooney joined Enough Co-founder John Prendergast in urging the administration of President Barack Obama to take serious steps to curb the prospects of total war in Sudan:
'The largest conventional war on the face of the earth in 2011 will occur in Sudan unless bold diplomacy led by the U.S. prevents it. The most dangerous tripwire will be in seven months, when southern Sudanese will vote to determine whether the South splits off and forms a new country. Some ruling party officials don't want to give up the oil-rich South without a fight. Southerners spilled a great deal of blood to win the right to opt out of Sudan, and they will keep fighting until they have their own state.'
The last war between the north and south ended in 2005, having cost several million lives, whilst the Darfur conflict in Sudan's West has claimed over 300,000 more. The Enough Project states that massive death tolls were the result of war tactics — principally by the government — targeting civilians. The Enough Project describes communities throughout Sudan fighting an authoritarian government to share in the country's power and wealth.
Sudan Rights Defenders: 'UN Rights Body Must Not Abandon Sudan'
10 June 2010
The International Federation for Human Rights have issued a joint statement with five other organisations* expressing their regret at the delay by the Human Rights Council to hold a discussion of the human rights situation in Sudan to its fifteenth session in September 2010. Touching upon the recent elections, the repression of civil and political rights as well as print-censorship, the statement urges that freedom and rule of law are essential preconditions for a peaceful referendum.
Ali Agab, former legal officer for the Khartoum Centre for Human Rights and legal adviser for the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies stressed 'that international community and the Human Rights Council must remain focused on the human rights situation in Sudan'. You can read the full statement here.
*Amnesty International, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Khartoum Centre for Human Rights and Environmental Development, African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies and East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP)
A group of aid agencies that worked in Sudan during the civil war, reporting together as the European Coalition on Oil in Sudan (ECOS), have called for an investigation into the role played by a consortium of oil companies in the conflict and their possible complicity in the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
ECOS reports that the start of oil exploration in Block 5A in Southern Sudan set off a spiral of violence as the Sudanese government and forces loyal to them set out to secure and take control of the oil fields in that block. Thousands of inhabitants died, and almost 200,000 people were violently displaced. This oil consortium
‘should have been aware of the abuses committed by the armed groups that partly provided for their security needs. However, they continued to work with the Sudanese government, its agencies and its army.
Meanwhile Lundin, which led the oil consortium, denies that it violated the norms of international law or that it participated in or had, or ought to have had, knowledge of any of the illegal acts that are documented in the report. It says that it at all times acted in accordance with all applicable local and international laws and its operations have been and continue to be conducted in a manner which seeks to have a positive influence on the country and people of Sudan.
As the parties discuss arrangements for the future management of the oil industry in Sudan the run up to the referendum in 2011, a range of issues to avoid war over oil in Sudan. ECOS stresses that a compensation process that will do justice to existing victims can create the conditions for reconciliation and forgiveness. Such an arrangement would bring crucial peace dividends and contribute to a much needed environment of trust in the oil-producing areas and beyond. You can read the full report here, and view the interactive map of Sudan's oil below.
After their meeting in Johannesburg The Elders have expressed their
'deep concern about the fragility of the situation in Sudan. With less than eight months before a referendum on self-determination in South Sudan, it is crucial that the international community implements a comprehensive strategy towards Sudan and ensures that the will of the people of South Sudan is respected.
The Elders suggest that the international community unites behind Thabo Mbeki as
'there is currently a plethora of international envoys and special representatives and their diverse activities should support a unified approach by Mr Mbeki'.
They also stress the need for neutrality amongst the international community and regional players towards the situation, and call for greater efforts to ensure that the will of the people of South Sudan is respected. More inclusivity is needed for the peace process, with the Elders emphasising that
'negotiations should include civil society groups representing the unarmed majority who should also participate in negotiations about their future'.
The Elders are, left to right, Graca Machel, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, Kofi Annan, Gro Brundtland, Martti Ahtisaari, Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Nelson Mandela (seated). Absent is Aung San Suu Kyi, an honorary Elder.
Sudan: resolving humanitarian crisis requires funding, peace pact, says UN official
31 May 2010
Funding in Southern Sudan and a peace agreement in Darfur are key ingredients for resolving the humanitarian crisis in the two regions, a senior United Nations official said today, wrapping up a four-day visit to Sudan. The UN and its aid partners have appealed for $1.9 billion for this year for the country, making it the largest humanitarian operation in the world.
Food insecurity and rising malnutrition caused by poor rains and crop failures, along with higher food prices, are among the factors which have led to a new humanitarian crisis in Southern Sudan, said Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes.
“All this adds up to a very worrying situation against the background of high poverty and poor human development indicators in a number of areas, as well as the political uncertainties ahead of the 2011 referendum,”
As many as 1.5 million people in the region face severe food insecurity, while tribal violence has so far claimed 700 lives and uprooted 90,000 people. Continued attacks by the notorious Ugandan rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has also contributed to insecurity, displacement and deaths. Just over one quarter of the $531 million requested for humanitarian assistance for Southern Sudan has been received so far, Mr. Holmes noted, with efforts to pre-position essential stocks before the rainy season hindered by transport and logistical constraints. He welcomed the $35 million contribution made by the Government of Southern Sudan to tackle food insecurity.
On Darfur, the official said that little has changed since his last visit to the war-ravaged region last year, shortly after Khartoum expelled over a dozen aid agencies following the issuance of an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). While major gaps in response have been filled, quality and capacity remain below previous levels in some areas, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Bureaucratic impediments and insecurity are impeding the ability to help those in need, as exemplified by recent fighting between the Government and rebels, inter-tribal conflict and the unresolved abduction of a staff member from the United States working for a non-governmental organization (NGO).
Seven years of war between military forces and rebel groups in Darfur have killed some 300,000 people and driven 2.7 million more from their homes. Mr Holmes said
“We desperately need to see a proper ceasefire in Darfur and a definitive political settlement, so we can move away from a focus on humanitarian aid and towards the recovery, reconstruction and development the region so badly requires. In the meantime, we will continue to work as closely as we can with the Government to address the problems and to make sure as fully as we can that humanitarian needs are met.”
The official's visit to Sudan, his fifth since 2007, took him to Southern Sudan and Darfur, wrapping up today in Khartoum, where he met with Government, UN and NGO representatives.
'Choose Life'. Sudanese Church's vision for peaceful Sudan
30 May 2010
A statement by the Sudanese Church commits the organisation to
'Speak the truth fearlessly ... We would like to assure the Sudanese people and the world at large that we shall continue to fill this God-given role as a prophetic voice and a positive instrument of peace, equality and justice for all.'
The statement outlines the Church's responsibility to 'call for peace and reconciliation amongst ... communities'. Laying out the details of their new People-to-People and Reconciliation Process of dialogue, the Church says it will focus on countering 'internal conflicts in the south, the marginalised areas and other parts of Sudan'. You can read the full statement here.
Xchange Perspectives' new film Radio Magwi 92.5 provides an overview of the different phases of the training in Media For Peace, Radio Journalism and Music Production that Xchange Perspectives carried out in Magwi, South Sudan in January and February 2010 in cooperation with the German Development Service (DED).
Xchange Perspectives partners with all actors committed to development and peace processes. Through media, they work to progress collective aspirations towards equal, just, sustainable and all-inclusive social change.
Darfuris in Diaspora raise concerns over 'soft policy' towards Sudan
26 May 2010
Darfuris in Diaspora from North America have released a statement expressing their 'gravest concern' that
'Following elections described by the U.S. State Department as neither free nor fair, we see delegations from the United Nations, African Union, and Arab League turn a blind eye to the killings in Darfur that were inflicted recently by the Khartoum regime while they flock to Khartoum to celebrate the inauguration of the killer as president of Sudan.'
The statement lists three particular areas of concern. Firstly that 'the soft policy of the American Administration towards Sudan sent the wrong signal to the United Nation, African Union, Arab League, and other international bodies'. Secondly that 'mediators are serving, knowingly or not, as tools to the Government of Sudan to suppress the Darfuri cause', and finally that 'Albashir is an indicted war criminal ...we believe that this AU panel on Darfur is nothing more than an effort to let AlBashir off the hook'.
The statement is signed by over 180 Darfuris, fourteen Darfurian associations and ten other organisations.
The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies' latest report, "Sifting through Shattered Hopes: Assessing the Electoral Process in Sudan" offers a comprehensive breakdown of the April elections in Sudan.
The elections in Sudan offered a unique opportunity to build democracy and to advance the program of democratic transformation identified in the CPA.
However, the process was, in practice marred by serious and widespread violations of both national law and policy and international standards. Renewed efforts must now be made to address structural defects in the legal and policy framework of elections in Sudan in order to ensure that subsequent elections processes uphold the rights of all Sudanese to vote and to participate freely in political life.
Save Darfur's Letter to the UN Security Council hi-lights the 'escalating crisis and its impact on the lives and livelihoods of Darfuri civilians', and suggests seven actions for the UNSC to take to counter this insecurity.
As the situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations Amir Osman stresses that
While we commend recent efforts by the United Nations and the African Union to reach full deployment of the joint peacekeeping operation in Darfur, we are disappointed that the mission has been unable to prevent, monitor, or intervene in most of the recent fighting. Likewise, we would like to express our significant dismay that UNAMID has been unable or unwilling to protect humanitarian operations in Jebel Marra, forcing the withdrawal of aid groups and resulting in a severe lack of information regarding the humanitarian and human rights consequences of the clashes.
In January and in April, drumming events around the world called for governments to take action on Sudan.
For Sharon Silber from the New York City Coalition for Darfur, the April drumming event in New York was a fantastic opportunity to work with some 'wonderful co-sponsors ... and all the wonderful volunteeers that came out from our group and otherarea groups'. Over 100 activists participated in the event, which was co-hosted by the African Center for Justice and Peace Studies and the International Refugee Rights Initiative.
The event was given real significance by 'a number of participants from the local Darfuri community. It was particularly moving to hear the words of the President of the Darfur People's Association of New York, Ahmat Nour, as well as being joined and hearing from local Darfuri women and men about their deep concerns regarding their region and country'. Drummers, and in particular long-time supporter and drummer Gary Fritz, brought 'a special spirit to our work to speak for those who are voiceless'.
For Sharon, this global event was 'very affirming ... even in countries in Africa, many of which face their own set of issues, people are speaking out for the victims in Sudan and pressing for peace. It was great seeing the pictures of the children of Burkina Faso' (see picture below).
With just over 6 months until the referendum to decide the future of Sudan, there's never been a better time to organise your own Beat for Peace event.
The latest ReliefWeb map shows that 'despite the move towards relief and recovery, millions of Sudanese still live in extremely vulnerable conditions, with almost half the population in South Sudan threatened by food insecurity'.
As part of the One World Festival in Derry, Ireland, a Beat for Peace event will be held in partnership with Drive 105 radio station at the end of May.
Various drum circles around Derry City will synchronise their rhythms to a click beat broadcasted by Drive 105 at 12.15pm Saturday 29th May. Drum sessions will be led by Gathering Drum, Harmonicity and Releasing Rhythms drum circles at the One World Courtyard Foyle street, Guildhall Square and the Derry Walls.
You can tune into Drive 105 to hear the live session; why not drum along and upload your own Beat for Peace in support of Sudan?
This short Al Jazeera news update looks at longstanding divisions within the SPLM. It suggests that April's election process and results have exposed these differences and shifted expectations for January's referendum. Picture from AFP.
A report released today by International Crisis Group examines the prospect of southern independence in Sudan.
'The referendum is to be held six months before the end of the CPA’s six-year Interim Period. If Southerners choose to go their own way, it is during the ensuing half-year window that any disputes over, as well the transition to, independence must be resolved. While pragmatic tones are emerging in Khartoum, attempts to delay or derail the exercise are not out of the question. Neither the SPLM nor its regional supporters want a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI). The SPLM is aware of the risks that would accompany it and is working hard to avoid such a scenario. But if pushed into a corner, the possibility of UDI is very real.'
Rob from UK band Stornoway talks you through how easy it is to make and upload your Beat for Peace. We'll be using your videos in our campaigning work in 2010, so we want as many interpretations as you can think of! Your Beat can be with your friends, workmates, or even in your kitchen. You can get more information here.Get drumming!
Artists and musicians from across Sudan came together to write election songs to encourage the people of Sudan to make a mark on their future. Sudan Votes worked with artists such as Emmanuel Jal, Tariq Amin and Nas Jota to produce music that called for political participation and peaceful elections, and you can watch videos by Emannuel Kembe and Sister Dee over at Sudan Votes..
Human Rights Watch report examines 'Flawed Elections'
27 April 2010
The latest report on the elections from Human Rights Watch explains why "concerns with these elections go beyond technical irregularities. Political oppression and human rights violations undermined the freedom and fairness of the vote all over Sudan".
In northern states, Human Rights Watch found that the National Congress Party-dominated government continued to foster a restrictive environment during the voting period through harassment, intimidation, and arrests of activists, opposition members, and election observers. Human Rights Watch documented fewer cases of restrictions of political rights than in preceding months, but police and security officers continued to commit rights violations. Repressive laws also remained in place, contrary to requirements under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended the civil war and brought the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, former southern rebels, into a national unity government.
The presidential results are starting to come through.
In the national elections Sudan President al-Bashir won with 68% of the vote. In the south, Salva Kiir and SPLM won with 92.99% of the vote and the only opposition (Lam Akol and SPLM DC), won 7.01% of the vote. Other results likely to come in the next couple of hours.
Here's a great audio slideshow from Christian Aid looking at why securing peace for the whole of Sudan is so important for Darfur. Today, with results expected imminently, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir met with UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari to converse at length on a number of significant issues.
Progressive Policy Institute have just released their Khartoum Dispatch: Assessing the Sudan Elections.
'For the people of Sudan, the stakes could not be any higher. Where will the elections leave the Darfuri people? Over two million out of Darfur’s estimated seven million people live in displaced persons camps, while Darfur’s rebel movements continue to clash with Sudanese government forces in hot spots across the region. Millions in Darfur boycotted the registration period because they did not want their participation to bestow credibility on an election process that left them with few candidates on the ballot representing their interests. With a new mandate on power supported by the participation of Darfur in the elections, many Darfuris and Sudanese fear that the NCP will likely abandon the peace process and instead seek to gain greater control of Darfur through the state and national leaders "elected" to serve their interests.
As for the people of south Sudan, they retain the option to secede from a newly legitimized government in Khartoum with the referendum in 2011. Yet these elections have demonstrated that political space in south Sudan is also quite restrictive, with the arrest and intimidation of independent candidates and detention of election monitors. As Alex de Waal wrote, "As the endgame of the [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] is played out, the fundamental question facing Sudan may not be whether it is one nation or two, but whether it is governed or ungoverned. The ongoing decline of trust and legitimacy has created a situation in which staying in power is the only task that either of the two ruling parties can achieve.'
You can read the full dispatch here. The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) is an independent research institution that seeks to define and promote a new progressive politics in the 21st century. Photo credit: UN Photos Photostream,
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, UK Foreign Minister David Miliband and US State Secretary Hillary Clinton have given a Troika statement on the Sudanese elections.
We acknowledge the conclusion on 15 April of Sudan's first multi-party elections in twenty-four years. We commend the people of Sudan for their engagement in a complex and lengthy polling process, and their increased civic participation over recent months.
Last month we collectively reiterated our call for peaceful, credible elections, and expressed our deep concern regarding reports of administrative and logistical challenges, as well as restrictions on political freedoms.
We note initial assessments of the electoral process from independent observers, including the judgment that the elections failed to meet international standards. We are reassured that voting passed reasonably peacefully, reportedly with significant participation, but share their serious concerns about weak logistical and technical preparations and reported irregularities in many parts of Sudan.
We note the limited access of observer missions in Darfur. We regret that the National Elections Commission (NEC) did not do more to prevent and address such problems prior to voting. We strongly encourage the NEC to address in good faith any legitimate disputes effectively and impartially.
It is essential to build upon the progress made so far to expand democratic space in Sudan and ensure full respect for human rights. We call on the Sudanese authorities to draw lessons from these elections and from independent assessments of them, to ensure that future elections and the forthcoming referenda do not suffer from the same flaws. The CPA remains essential for peace and stability in Sudan and the region.
We urge all parties in Sudan to resume and accelerate work to complete its implementation. Urgent progress is needed on border demarcation, preparatory arrangements for the January 2011 referenda for the South and Abyei, and popular consultations in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan. In addition the parties must make it a priority to agree upon the new arrangements needed after the CPA expires in July 2011, irrespective of the outcome of the referenda. We remain firmly committed to supporting implementation of the CPA and post-CPA arrangements, and the pursuit of peace, justice, reconciliation, and accountability in Darfur. We will continue to work closely towards these goals with parties in Sudan, and with the United Nations, African Union, Assessment and Evaluation Commission and other international and regional partners.
So voting is over, and results are expected by Tuesday, with some states expected to annouce their results earlier. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed efforts by the ruling parties in Sudan to enter dialogue with opposition candidates and parties in the country’s first national elections in 24 years.
Yesterday there was an NCP allegation that SPLM forces killed 5 NCP officials in Bahr el Ghazal (SPLM says its was a lovers' feud and nothing to do with politics) and other indications that SPLM-NCP tensions were rising (SPLM troops were closing off some streets in Juba). A report from the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies claims that the whole election 'process has been marred by procedural flaws and irregularities, corruption, violence, and severe restrictions on civil and political freedom'. The report at www.acjps.org goes into full regional detail to support this claim.
The 2 day extension does not seem to have had much impact; several of our partner organisations have reported fairly slow turnout over the extra days. There has been some suggestion that elections will be re-held in 33 small constituencies within the next 60 days, due to some of the logistical challenges.
You can get more detail from the election mapping project at Sudan Vote Monitor (which Al-Midan Newspaper reported as having been blocked within Sudan during the elections), and regular updates if you sign up to Sudan Watch. There's a great summary of some of the issues surrounding the months ahead over at Refugees International.
Alsarah, a Sudanese born singer, songwriter and ethnomusicologist, reworked a song about voting in Sudan, and has given us an interview on the motivation for this interpretation.
You can also listen to the MP3 here.
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Born in the capital city of Khartoum where she spent the first 8 years of her life, Alsarah relocated to Taez, Yemen with her family and then abruptly moved to the US in 1994 when a brief civil war broke out in Yemen. Now residing in Brooklyn, NY, she performs music from different parts of the Middle East, and East Africa. Heavily influenced by different styles of music from her native home to her adopted one she is putting together an album of original material to be released later this year. Find out more at http://www.myspace.com/soulsudani . Photo credit: www.carlosnycphoto.com . The song was written in 1985 by a collective of artists named the Democratic Creators Alliance. Alsarah co-produced the remix for this song with Oddisee.
It's not yet clear how free and fair the extended elections in Sudan have been, nor when we can expect the vote to be counted. Initial reports on the first day of voting suggested high turnout with a report from Sudan Vote Monitor by Marvis Birungi describing the long queues at polling stations as an endorsement of the election process.
However, former President Jimmy Carter commented on the logistical problems of the elections on Tuesday, whilst the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies recorded continuing violations on the second day of voting.
Today the General Secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches - an Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic grouping - states that the elections do not qualify as free and fair (Fredrick Nzwili Nairobi, Ecumenical News International), whilst the Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (SuNDE) condemns the detention of nonpartisan observers who were removed by security personnel from polling stations in Hai Jalaba, Youth Trading Center, and Saint Theresa in Juba.
Photos and videos from our day of action are in from Jerusalem, Amsterdam, London, Lomo, New York, Nouakchott (Mauritania), Sana''a (Yemen) and many other cities. There's a great blog on the US day of action here.
Carl Bigmore's photo of the London event outside the Sudanese Embassy
There's a great blog post on our campaign over at Ctl alt shift and and a fantastic channel focusing on voting from Xchange Perspectives.
Do check out the election map that we're showcasing from Sudan Vote Monitor to see how the elections progress as they are extended for a few extra days.
Check back for our showcasing of Alsarah and her song for Sudan. For the moment check out these photos from Mauritania...
Togo...
New York (thanks to David Sanders of the New York Times)...
Today, activists from 19 countries joined a coordinated, global day of action, calling on Sudanese parties to ensure that the upcoming elections do not become a flashpoint for increased violence and human rights abuses.
You can check out where events are being held using the map and calender to the left. The events are being organised as part of our year of campaigning for Sudan and have been put together by a global coalition of groups.
This global ‘beat for peace’ is backed by famous drummers including Stewart Copeland from The Police, Phil Selway from Radiohead, Ghanian drummer Mustafa Tettey Addey and Middle Eastern pop star Mohamed Munir. You can see the video at our YouTube Channel.
In recent days, many opposition parties have withdrawn from critical parts of the elections citing concerns that the election will not be free and fair and reports of widespread restrictions on basic freedoms. Campaigners fear that although the eyes of the world will turn to Sudan during the elections there will be inadequate focus on the human rights situation on the ground. diaspora group The Sudanese Lost Boys explain why the elections are so important.
If you support us in demanding that world leaders ensure that there is no ‘business as usual’ during the election period and exercise extra vigilance over events on the ground, sign up to Sudan Watch to received rapid response updates and information on the elections and our campaigning work.
The purpose of this initiative is to utilize information and communication technology (ICT) to support the independent monitoring and reporting of the election process and results. Over the last three years, civil society organizations (CSOs) in several countries (for example, Lebanon, India, Afghanistan) have succeeded in using ICT tools to support the conduct of fair and credible elections.
This is possible through the utilization of open source software and support of volunteers from ushahidi.com, a platform that allows anyone to gather distributed data via SMS, email or web and visualize it on a map or timeline.
This technology could be particularly useful in Sudan where long distances and inadequate infrastructure pose a significant challenge. The spread of mobile communications throughout Sudan in recent years offers a unique and feasible opportunity to overcome this challenge. The proposed technology is the closest thing to a real-time observation of what is happening in an election center in a remote part of Sudan.
Enough, the project to end genocide and crimes against humanity have mapped out what's happening to the run-up in elections. See Sudan's Election Timeline on Dipity.
Read more reports on Sudan at the organisations below:
Some recent reports on Sudan
Please note that these are not all partner organisations of this campaign.
A Joint NGO Report from January 2010 – ‘Rescuing the Peace in Southern Sudan’ http://tinyurl.com/yd2enam
Human Rights Watch http://www.hrw.org/en/africa/sudan October 2009 - ‘The Way Forward, Ending Human Rights abuses and repression across Sudan’ July 2009 – ‘Selling Justice Short - Why accountability matters for peace’
Ban Ki-Moon pledges to “work hard” to avoid the secession of south Sudan in a referendum next year, a position that risks setting the international community against proponents of independence in the region.
The UN secretary-general said “Whatever the result of the referendum, we have to think how to manage the outcome. It is very important for Sudan but also for the region,” Mr Ban said at an African Union summit in Addis Ababa. “We’ll work hard to avoid a possible secession.”
Celebrities and Activists Caution One Year to Prevent War in Sudan
9 January 2010
On 9 January 2010, thousands of activists are gathering at events in 13 countries in a global coordinated effort, calling on world leaders to take urgent steps to prevent a return to severe and widespread conflict in Sudan.
Sudan365 (www.sudan365.org), a year of campaigning for Sudan, has been organised by a coalition of groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Save Darfur, FIDH, Refugees International, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Darfur Consortium and Arab Coalition for Darfur. The full list of participating countries and groups can be found at: http://www.sudan365.org/en-partners.html
The effort comes with one year remaining until a referendum that will decide the future of Sudan and marks the five year anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the civil war between Northern and Southern Sudan and called for this referendum. With many highly contentious issues still to be resolved and amidst increasing inter-ethnic violence in the South and continued attacks on civilians in Darfur, there is a real risk of a return to conflict that could destabilise the entire region and place civilians in grave danger.
Sudan365 is being supported by some of the world’s most famous drummers - including Phil Selway, Radiohead; Stewart Copeland, The Police; Nick Mason, Pink Floyd; Jonny Quinn, Snow Patrol; Caroline Corrs; Richard Jupp, Elbow; renowned Egyptian drummer Yehia Khalil; Middle Eastern star Mohammed Mounir and Mustapha Tettey Addy who has been drumming since the 1970s. The celebrity drummers are coming together to create a ‘beat for peace’ in Sudan. A film of this global beat for peace, featuring drummers from five continents, will be released to coincide with the launch of the campaign. Today, activists will also drum along at events worldwide to call on governments to take action to prevent worsening violence and ensure civilians are protected.
Activists are calling on world leaders to dramatically increase their engagement to:
Provide intensive and coherent diplomatic support to Northern and Southern Sudanese parties on unresolved issues such as wealth sharing, borders and security, and legislation for the referendum;
Increase international monitoring and reporting on human rights violations throughout Sudan in the run-up to the April elections and referendum, and support measures to protect civilians from potential violence related to these events;
Push the United Nations Security Council to strengthen the civilian protection mandate of the Sudan peacekeeping force (UNMIS) by increasing its presence in remote and volatile areas and by rapidly deploying its personnel to conflict-prone areas.
The 2011 referendum will determine whether or not the Southern region of Sudan becomes independent from the North. Experts fear that instability in the run-up to the referendum or its aftermath could reignite a civil war and cause massive human rights abuses unless international efforts are intensified to find a peaceful path through the next 12 months.
More than 2 million people lost their lives in the 22 year long civil war between the North and the South. 2009 has seen a serious spike in violence in which more than 2,500 have been killed and 350,000 displaced in South Sudan. In Darfur, the conflict in which hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed remains unresolved and millions continue to suffer daily in camps.
