Growing fears as April 2010 Elections Approach.

The political temperature of the Sudan may turn volatile as the April 2010 general elections approach. Having a look at the elections at various angles, many challenges lie ahead of it. The current political status has less to offer for the free conduct of elections unless the dilemma is elevated. The challenges are to all the Sudanese people. Anyway, there are those who like to see their own country in mess but they can be out-numbered by good Sudanese. Here, let's have a look at the dimensions of the dimensions of the time bomb;

1. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement elections date

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (hereinafter the CPA) signed between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and the National Congress Party (NCP) on behalf of the Government of Sudan was seen as the only alternative to seeking a political solution to the Sudanese crisis. Very many agreements, though signed before the CPA, were dishonored by their signatories. With the CPA, a new Sudanese political system evolved with the view of democratically transforming the country. Its implementation process was divided into two distinct phases: the Pre-Interim Period which started from Jan 9th 2005 to July 8th 2005; The Interim Period from July 9th 2005 to July 9th 2011. Equally important event is the turn out of South Sudanese to vote in an internationally monitored referendum on whether the Sudan would remain united or a new state of South Sudan would evolve. All these phases are six years. The general elections were stated by the CPA to be done before, or by the end of the first half of the Interim period. This means that the elections date would have been between 2008 and 2009. Yet, the elections today are to be held in the last sixth of the Interim period; just seven months before the expiry of the interim period. If it isn't the hide and seek policy of the political system in Sudan, this couldn't have been the case. Despite this blunder, the elections law which is an important element and gateway to the elections had not been passed by the National Assembly early enough. All these attempts are intended to drag the country back to the reign of tyrant, dictatorial and exclusive regime. In other words, those who hold power are not willing to let the people make their political choice.

2. The 2011 Referendum and an Independent South Sudan

The right to and exercise of self determination was the first among the series of protocols of the CPA. It puzzles one today when the NCP puts stumbling blocks on the road to the implementation of this protocol. Without hesitation, the laws regarding any protocol signed should have been enacted by the National Assembly before sparking off violence and demonstrations all over the country. Very much political misconduct has been observed committed by the NCP. The border demarcation is a necessity if the protocol is to find room for implementation. There is no country in the world that has no borders. Nobody is certain that South Sudanese will opt for unity or separation but anything necessary can be done prior to that. The post referendum events like the sharing of liabilities, assets and debts is not worth discussing, but for peace sake they can be discussed after giving the referendum law a chance. The imbalance goes back to history. The liabilities were for developing the North not the South, and if any was used for the South, then the South should account for it.

3. The Government of Southern Sudan (Goss)
Though anarchists and opportunists accuse the Government of Southern Sudan (Goss) of failure to bring what they call sustainable development, security, freedom, and all that they count, none is honest. The saying goes, “half a loaf is better than none.” Yes, indeed. There is appreciable development in the South today unlike in the olden days. Most critics have nothing constructive but destructive. Worst of all, some want to lead the South! Neither do they adore the CPA nor the Goss and the people of South Sudan. What if they come to power, won't they dishonor the CPA and implement their own personal agenda?

In addition, for best results, agreements are implemented by the people signatory to them. Like any other agreements, the CPA can best be implemented by those who signed it; the SPLM and the NCP. It would be wise for the Sudanese people to retain these two parties in power if they want the CPA to lead them to their ultimate destiny, like an independent South Sudan as a result of the 2011 referendum vote for secession or a democratically transformed Sudan, in case of unity. The elections are a warning of what the beautiful or ugly face of the Sudan would be.

4. The Voter Registration Exercise
Not as a spirit of contentment but discontent, a new ideology is finding route in the Sudan. Never has any electoral process been comprehensive to all the Sudanese people. There is increasing doubts in each other; the political parties on one side and the National Elections Commission (NEC) on the other. The National Elections Commissions (NEC) is to blame for what many, including this writer, call a step towards rigging the forthcoming elections. If not politically motivated thus partial and unfair, the NEC must have misinterpreted the item that “Sudanese outside the Sudan have the right to vote in the general elections.” These are Sudan's elections, not any other country's but our most honored NEC has failed to explain why there were seven voter registration centres in the Arab world as if it were a “Middle East Election.” Unbalancing the set, there were only three in Europe and two in the Americas. In contrast, the exercise was carried out in only three African countries namely Uganda, Kenya and South Africa. Can the NEC convince us as to why Egypt was given more consideration than other neighbors to Sudan of its same class? Why was there much input by NEC for centres abroad when materials were inadequate in the South? These are questions that have to be dissected before the voting season approaches.

The Sudan is still at political infancy because of its own failures. It was among the first African countries to gain independence. Today, Uganda and Kenya just typical neighbors to the Sudan are more developed than the Sudan (the South). This shows that the country invested in fueling internal conflicts to which it became addicted and making a U-turn has become as hard as cracking a nut.

More still, the people of Sudan in general and South Sudan in particular must be vigilant and watchful of the elections. It's a critical moment. The referendum is only less than a year ahead. It should also be known that the elections are a series of events; April 2010 is the day of casting the votes and the whole process may come to an end in June 2010. Then, we shall only have less than six months to reach referendum not forgetting that the North-South border has to be demarcated. Who is sure that the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) will not be involved to arbitrate the border dispute like it happened for Abyei? What will the future be like for South Sudanese if the CPA expires before their choice is exercised? The CPA was brought by blood and more blood would be spilt if another agreement in needed. Are you ready? If not, focus ahead.

The intervention of the international community is not a priority though it is a necessity. It's better for South Sudanese to plan for their defense before seeking help from other partners. The world is keeping an eye on us. The future of South is an asset for the youth. They constitute the labor or human resource of the young semi-autonomous country. They can also make country independent if they want the future generation to enjoy absolute freedom.

The author is Akol Ayom Wekdit, a South Sudanese Journalist in Northern Sudan and columnist in Sudan Tribune Newspaper

He can be reach through e-mail address or cell phone

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