The Congresswoman Is Wrong! Sudan's Democratic Elections: Free, Fair and Transparent
WASHINGTON, March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The latest statements made by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee attacking the integrity of the imminent elections in Sudan are misguided and worrisome. The United States was among the guarantors of the agreement responsible for ushering in this era of peace in Sudan, and hence should retain intimate knowledge of the peace process. The groundless concerns expressed by the congresswoman and those who share her sentiments appear only to be a pretext used by the anti-democratic-transformation forces to perpetuate their campaign of obscuring peace for Sudan.
In promptly responding to these uninformed remarks, it is important to reiterate that the vision and a cornerstone of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is the democratic transformation of the country, a process that calls for the conduct of nationwide elections currently planned for April 11, 2010. So contrary to her assertions, elections are not the mandate of any one party or individual. And therefore to claim that they are meant to "legitimize the rule" of any entity is not only revealing of an insufficient understanding of the peace framework set forth in the agreement, but is an affront to the Sudanese who are therein assumed to be incapable of deciding for themselves the social, economic and political dispensation of their country. The record turnout for elections registration and the numerous opposition political parties participating conveys, justifiably so, their confidence in the elections process.
Fair elections are indeed essential for a lasting peace in Sudan hence this monumental endeavor is set to be conducted with the utmost integrity so that the outcome reflects nothing short of the genuine aspirations of the Sudanese. Measures to ensure that this is credibly achieved are in place beginning with the democratic freedoms vital to this process. In accordance with the Interim National constitution born of the CPA, the laws enacted protect and enhance basic freedoms including of Assembly, of Expression, and of Association. By the mandate of the National Elections Act, an impartial National Elections Commission that governs the conduct of elections and all related affairs was formed and has since effectively assumed the role of safeguarding these plebiscites. An immediate step it took was to reach out to members of the international community to partake as observers. The participants who will witness this legitimacy will include The United Nations, European Union, African Union, Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference and the US-based Carter Center. For a genuine champion of democracy, it is far more meaningful to constructively work towards the goal than idle criticism.
Embassy of Sudan Press and Information Office, phone: +1-202-338-8565, or fax: +1-202-667-2406
SOURCE Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
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