Washington, D.C. – “The elections in Sudan were supposed to be a key milestone in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the democratic transformation of the country. Yet the many irregularities reported by observers during the campaign period and the boycotts of some elections by most major opposition parties, are a serious cause for concern. Whatever the results of the elections, it is important that the international community continues to press the parties in making all efforts towards the full implementation of the CPA, especially ensuring the referendum on southern secession takes place as scheduled in January 2011. Failure to hold the referendum on time risks sparking a major return to conflict.

“The international community must speak out publically against violations and irregularities during the electoral period but must also redouble its efforts to ensure the parties come to a lasting agreement on unresolved issues relating to the CPA. The U.S. government and its international partners must not recognize the results of an election that is not decreed free and fair by electoral observers. The international community and national civil society must continue to document violations of law or human rights during the electoral period, while the U.S. must remain committed to supporting Sudan towards a definitive peaceful resolution of the conflict between north and south.





Refugees International is a Washington, DC-based organization that advocates to end refugee crises and receives no government or UN funding. In a March 2010 report “Sudan: No Time for ‘Business as Usual’”, Refugees International called on the international humanitarian community to begin country-wide contingency planning in case the uncertainty of political events over the coming year leads to a new outbreak of violence. For a copy of the report, visit: www.refugeesinternational.org