Over the last twenty-four hours, the American government response to elections in Sudan has begun to take shape. Yesterday morning, the United States with the United Kingdom and Norway issued a joint statement commending the Sudanese people “for their engagement in a complex and lengthy polling process, and their increased civic participation over recent months.” The members of the Troika, however, noted the “initial assessments of the electoral process from independent observers, including the judgment that the elections failed to meet international standards.” As such, they called on the National Elections Commission “to address in good faith any legitimate disputes effectively and impartially.”
Later in the day, State Department spokesperson P.J. Crowley went further asserting, “This was not a free and fair election. It did not, broadly speaking, meet international standards. That’s been clear in the comments that have been done by the Carter Center, the EU, and the AU over the past couple of days. That said, I think we recognize that the election is a very important step in terms of implementation of the CPA … So while we understand that there were flaws and failures in terms of this electoral process, we still recognize that there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Then this morning, the Office of the White House Press Secretary issued a statement that reiterated these points and also looked forward. It asserted that the United States would continue to work with all parties in Sudan and, that, “In the months and years ahead it will be critical to continue pressing for progress for the civil and political rights of all of the Sudanese people. This priority will not expire with the CPA, and all parties should draw on this experience to improve preparations for future elections and referenda… The United States also remains committed to working with the international community to support implementation of outstanding elements of the CPA and ensure that the referendum happens on time and that its results are respected. With partners in the region and beyond, we will continue to engage in the preparations necessary to support peace and stability after the 2011 referenda, and continue to promote peace, security, and accountability in Darfur.”
ELECTION LINKS
Analysis/Opinion
- Khartoum Dispatch: Assessing the Sudan Elections – Sean Brooks at Progressive Policy Institute
- In Sudan, the World is Changing – Sean Brooks at Change.org
- Corruption and the Election – Hafiz Mohamed at Making Sense of Sudan
- Withdrawal Of Sudan Opposition Candidate Was Big Setback, Says Expert (audio) – Talk Radio News
- Too Tolerant of Too Many Flaws in Sudan’s Elections – Michelle at Change.org
- Domestic and International Observers React to Sudan Election - Amanda Hsiao at Enough Project
Reports from Monitors
- The Carter Center Election Observation Mission in Sudan Presidential, Gubernatorial, and Legislative Elections, Preliminary Statement
- Trip Report by Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to Sudan
- European Union Election Observation Mission, Preliminary Statement
- Intergovernmental Authority on Development: Election Observer Mission to the Sudan Interim Statement
- African Union: Communique on the Sudanese General Elections
- Position of the Independent Civil Society Network on the Electoral Process
Headlines from Last Two Days”
- No date set for delayed Sudan election results – Agence France Presse
- Sudan state media report Bashir poll lead – Reuters
- U.S. faults Sudan election but will work with victors – Reuters
- Sudan ruling party rejects US polls charge – Agence France Presse
- Britain, Norway and US say Sudan Elections Marred by Irregularities – Voice of America
- Sudan polls ‘free and fair’ considering context: AU – Agence France Presse
- Russia says Sudan elections fair by ‘African standards’ – Sudan Tribune
- South Africa criticizes Sudan’s rush to elections at an “inopportune” time – Sudan Tribune
- Sudan press urges world not to recognise results – Agence France Presse
- Fraud Suspected In Sudan Election Results – National Public Radio
- Report: Sudan election ‘short of international standards’ – CNN
- Sudan poll given a thumbs up – Al Jazeera English
- We Are Proud of Sudan’s Vote, Says Electoral Commission Official – Voice of America
- SPLM Official Disagrees with Observers on Transparency of Northern Sudan Vote – Voice of America
- East Sudan parties concede defeat, cry fraud – Reuters
- Poll result delay worries Sudanese(with video) – Al Jazeera English
- Credibility of Sudan’s Vote Thrown into Further Doubt – Voice of America
- Sudan’s SPLM Says Bashir Sends Troops to Rig Key State Vote – Bloomberg
- South Sudan party accuses north of troop buildup – Reuters
- Sudan opposition laps up foreign criticism of elections – Agence France Presse
- Al-Bashir poised for overwhelming win in Sudan poll – Financial Times
- Generation Beshir: Sudan’s leader holds youth vote – Agence France Presse
- Sudan election observer ‘beaten up’ in south – BBC News
- Darfur rebel leader urges Sudanese forces to rebuff NCP government – Sudan Tribune
- Sudan’s NCP dismisses talk of national government with parties that boycotted elections – Sudan Tribune
- Taban Deng seizes NEC office in Bentiu, refuses to accept defeat – Sudan Tribune
- Scary away shootings occurred in a bit to steal ballot boxes in Unity state – Sudan Tribune
- US says Sudan elections ‘not fair and free’, shifts focus to 2011 referendum – Sudan Tribune
- CES: General Gore decries elections rigging in the counting – Sudan Tribune
- General Dau supports calls for cancellation of elections – Sudan Tribune
- PCP candidate in South Darfur State alleges rigging and will not recognize results Sudan Election Results – Miraya FM
- DUP-Mainsteam rejects electoral results and calls for a revote – Miraya FM
- Nafie: boycotting parties will not be included in government – Miraya FM
- Blue Nile State increases security before announce of final voting results – Miraya FM
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
Tags: Carter Center, CPA, Darfur, European Union, NEC, Norway, Obama Administration, State Department, Sudan, Sudanese elections, United Kingdom, White House
