A country wide election is scheduled in Sudan for April of 2010. The election will determine local, state and national leaders. This will be the first multi-party general election since 1986. The election presents both opportunities and challenges.
The election was agreed upon in the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) signed by the Khartoum government and the SPLM (Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement) in January of 2005. The election was originally scheduled for 2009, but problems with a census and voter registration caused the election to be postponed.
Of the estimated 20 million voters in Sudan, few have ever voted in a general election. A high percentage of the voters are illiterate. Current government officials in both the north and south of Sudan hold there positions by appointment. If the appointed government officials are able to show that the elections are open and fair, then the people will have the opportunity to move forward with popular government.
A referendum is scheduled in January of 2011 for self-determination for southern Sudan. A truce ended the 21 year civil war between the north and the south of Sudan in 2004. The war left many people in the south yearning for a separate country. However, there are also many people in the south that see advantages to being part of a larger nation.
The people of Sudan are looking forward to the opportunities that can come from peace, prosperity and an orderly governmental process.
Southern Sudan Humanitarian helps the people in the villages of southern Sudan with orphan care, education, clean water and other projects. We have had a very favorable reception from both local officials and the Government of Southern Sudan.
Claron
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