Peace Through Democracy in Sudan

I received this report through my email because I registered my email with Enough* mailing lists a few years ago. I do hope someone translate the summary as well as the full report because it’s essential for all of us to be prepared for the change that will take place within the coming years in Sudan.

*Enough is a project to end genocide and crimes against humanity. For more information, go to www.enoughproject.org.

Thanks
Faisal Mohamed

Quote: Peace Through Democracy in Sudan Summary Today marks the third anniversary of the landmark Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed by the Government of Sudan and a key rebel group from the South. The establishment of strong democratic institutions and processes in Sudan will be a key prerequisite for peace in Darfur and the South of Sudan, according to an ENOUGH Strategy Briefing released today. By setting forth a timetable for elections, the CPA seeks to give Sudanese citizens significantly more control in how their country is governed. However, the CPA election clock is ticking and neither the institutional foundations nor the requisite electoral processes are in place. These electoral processes in the context of the implementation of the CPA provide Sudan's best hope for peace—a political transformation through democracy. There are three major electoral milestones critical to the implementation of the CPA over the next three years: 1) the population census in April 2008; 2) the national elections by July 2009; and 3) a self-determination referendum for Southern Sudan by March 2011. Sudan has been torn apart by internal conflict for most of its independence, in part because of the lack of democratic processes or institutions. Resolving Sudan's ongoing conflicts and preventing future violence means seizing the opportunity provided by the CPA to start building these foundations. The international community must demand full and timely implementation of the CPA—particularly these electoral provisions—and deploy additional personnel and resources now to ensure that this historic opportunity is not missed. Donors must also provide significant support to civil society organizations in the North and South and to Southern Sudanese government institutions to strengthen the forces promoting democracy in Sudan.