Update on Darfur: The situation in Darfur continues to show little improvement over the last couple of years. Following recent protests throughout Darfur, the Sudanese government arrested  activists and oppressed those voicing their opinions. The peace talks in Doha are rapidly evolving. On April 27, U.N./A.U. mediators gave their final version of a peace agreement to government and rebel groups. However, it has turned into a problematic document due to the fact that it does not cover everything negotiated.  Increasingly, it looks like this will not be a final version, and more negotiations will be necessary, pushing back the original May 23 deadline. Also postponed is the civil society conference, originally slated to take place this week. The leading mediator, Gabriel Basole, may leave the talks soon to become foreign minister of his home country Burkina Faso. Appointing a new mediator who is approved by the U.N. and A.U. will be essential.

Elections in South Kordofan. Source: AFP

South Kordofan Elections: The vote counting process for the state elections recently held in South Kordofan is currently underway. Although it is too soon to determine if the vote can be considered free and fair, S.P.L.M. has already walked out of the vote counting process. The outcome of these elections will be a key marker for whether the North and South are taking implementation of the C.P.A. seriously.

Post-call update: The National Congress Party (N.C.P.) candidate and incumbent, Ahmed Haroun, won the gubernatorial seat in Southern Kordofan’s elections according to the National Elections Commission (N.E.C.). He won the governorship with 201,455 votes, while the S.P.L.M. candidate, Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu, earned 194,955 votes. Last Friday the S.P.L.M. and Al-Hilu pulled out of the hotly contested election, claiming the vote was rigged.

South Sudan Independence: Independence for South Sudan is on schedule for July 9. SDC/GI-NET is concerned that the United States may give incentives to the Sudanese government too soon.  We are pushing for no incentives until the Sudanese government is held accountable and demonstrates its commitment to peace.

Colonel Gaddafi

Libya: Recent weeks have seen an increase in rebel capacity and there is still heavy fighting in and around Misrata. Conflict in Libya continues to be a threat to civilians.

Post-call update: The I.C.C. has requested arrest warrants for Colonel Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and the head of Libya’s intelligence service, Abdullah al-Senussi on crimes against humanity.

Syria: SDC/GI-NET has been following the cycle of violent oppression that has been taking place in Syria for over a month. Recently there has been an increase in the targeting for civilians which is of great concern. We have issued a press statement and will continue to follow the situation.

If you missed the call, listen here to find out all the details.

Key Elections begin in Southern Kordofan. Source: AFP

According to a report by the BBC, voting so far has been peaceful, but tensions are expected to rise when the official results are released next week.  International attention will have to be sustained as a popular consultation takes place over whether the CPA has addressed the concerns of the people of Southern Kordofan.

A group of non-governmental organizations, including Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressing concern for a lack of international engagement and the need for sustained attention.  Thousands of activists also signed a petition to Ban and to US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice last week calling for international monitoring and support both during and after the elections and popular consultation.

As highlighted in the NGO letter, “As a key state along the volatile North-South border, and adjacent to both Darfur and Abyei,  Southern Kordofan is a lynchpin for stability throughout Sudan.”  It is set to remain in the north but will have a significant population of former southern rebels, including tens of thousands who still need to return from the south.  Former rebel leader and current deputy governor, Abdel Azziz Adam al-Hilu, is running against incumbent governor Ahmed Haroun, a representative of the main northern party and wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur.  Protests are already planned for shortly after the results are announced.

GI-Net/SDC will be following the situation closely and will provide further updates as events develop.

Southern Kordofan. Source: Wikipedia

On the verge of a new nation’s birth, in a region wracked by decades of war, a man considered a hero by the rebel army takes on an internationally indicted war criminal in the race for governor.  As campaign rhetoric heats up to dangerous levels, satellites capture the destruction of the lead candidate’s home village.  It sounds like the beginnings of a Hollywood movie or some kind of war novel, but it is the actual scene that is playing out in the state of Southern Kordofan in Sudan.

On May 2nd, just two months before South Sudan officially becomes the newest nation in the world, the people of Southern Kordofan will begin voting for a state legislature and new governor.  This election will have vast implications for peace, security, and justice both in and between the two new Sudans.  Protests are already planned and observers from the Carter Center warned yesterday about tensions reducing the credibility of the elections.  If war is not to be the result of this script, the world must pay attention by providing international observers, supporting those who are there, and by empowering the civil society in Southern Kordofan.

Click here to join thousands of others in calling for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice to lead the international community in ensuring these elections do not lead to further violence in Sudan.

Southern Kordofan saw some of the most intense fighting during the 22-year Sudanese civil war and is directly linked to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that brought that war to an end. One of the stipulations of the CPA is that there are to be popular consultations held in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile to allow their residents a say in how they will fit into the new North.  The consultations in Southern Kordofan cannot begin until the election has taken place.

Complicating matters is the fact that an estimated 30,000-50,000 former southern army (SPLA) troops will remain in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan after southern secession.  Southern Kordofan also borders Abyei, the key flashpoint border region whose status remains undetermined.  Unrest in Southern Kordofan could easily feed into continued tensions in Abyei, where both the North and South have been building up military forces.  Just yesterday, President Bashir raised tensions at a rally in Southern Kordofan by stating that Abyei would remain in the north and that he was prepared to return to war if the southern army caused trouble in Southern Kordofan.

The elections beginning on Monday will be the first real test case for how the government in Khartoum will deal with demands of groups outside of the capital after the main opposition group leaves to become the new Republic of South Sudan.  While the South breaks away, the same decades-long core-periphery dynamic in which an elite in Khartoum profits at the expense of others will continue in the “new South” of Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, in the East, and in Darfur.  Failure to accommodate the demands of Southern Kordofan may only be a precursor to wider spread tensions in the new North.

We will be closely watching the elections that begin on Monday.  To learn more about the elections in Southern Kordofan read this backgrounder by Sudan expert Aly Verjee.

Please join us by contacting Secretary General Ban and Ambassador Susan Rice, and asking them to do all they can to ensure the credibility of the elections in South Kordofan and prevent further violence in Sudan.

The region of South Kordofan, which is also known as the Nuba Mountains, has a long history of violence and saw some of the most intense fighting during the 22-year Sudanese Civil War. The impending separation of South Sudan and its proximity to the region of Abyei, which has seen increased military presence over the last few weeks, are also increasing tension in the region.

The Satellite Sentinel Project has captured images showing evidence of several violent attacks on the village of el-Feid in the Nuba Mountains. Attackers razed over 350 structures, and caused 19 deaths and 29 injuries.  El-Feid is the home of Abdelaziz al-Hilu, a leading candidate for governor, who has blamed northern-aligned militias for the attack. One of al-Hilu’s main opponents is Ahmed Haroun, a man who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on 51 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in orchestrating the genocide in Darfur.

Click on picture to enlarge

The Carter Center has already identified major shortcomings in the voter registration process. The Sudanese government’s history of rigging elections, Haroun’s violent past, and increased tensions in the region all indicate clearly that the international community must focus on preventing an outbreak of violence in the South Kordofan region. If the election is viewed as illegitimate by the people, then there is a strong likelihood that violent conflict will result.

SDC/GI-NET is calling on U.N. Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon to:

• Focus the international community on South Kordofan’s May 2-4 elections.
• Insist on a robust international vote monitoring presence.
• Ensure a future U.N peacekeeping mandate that prioritizes civilian protection.
• Demand an international border monitoring mechanism with access to tense border areas in both the South and the North.

Please join us by contacting Secretary General Ban and Ambassador Susan Rice, and asking them to do all they can to ensure the credibility of the elections in South Kordofan and prevent further violence in Sudan.

Next week, the people of South Kordofan will vote in state elections that could result in an outbreak of violence in the region if they are not viewed as legitimate.

We are currently ramping up efforts to raise awareness about these issues and inspire more people to take action. In the past year alone, we’ve gotten more than 100,000 signatures on petitions to the Obama administration and worked with activists to hold dozens of events across the country. We’ve sponsored ads in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, on Facebook and across the internet, and now we’re even in… drum roll, please… Times Square!

If you’re in NYC, you might see our billboard, running 18 times a day from now through the end of June. We’re excited to be reaching more people with our message.

And for those of you who can’t see the real thing, check out this video of our PSA, courtesy of Investors Against Genocide’s Eric Cohen:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please join us! Visit the Sudan Now website and ask the U.N. and U.S. to prevent violence in South Kordofan.

Just over one month ago, violence broke out in Cote d’Ivoire between supporters of incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and internationally recognized President Elect Alasane Ouattara. The situation is becoming more serious, with the United Nations Special Advisor for the Prevention of Genocide stating their grave concerns about the “…possibility of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing in Côte d’Ivoire.” GI-NET/SDC has been monitoring the situation for the past month and is closely watching developments at they unfold.

While supporters of President-elect Ouattara remain at risk of attack by security forces linked with Laurent Gbagbo in the commercial capital of Abidjan, reports of fighting between ethnic groups in western Côte d’Ivoire are increasing. According to GI-NET/SDC research, these clashes may be responsible for much of the increase in fatalities over the last two weeks, including at least 49 dead and the displacement of more than 30,000 people.

The international community has already taken swift action to respond to the situation. The United Nations authorized the deployment of more than 2,000 additional troops to the peacekeeping mission in the county. Additionally, the United States and European Union have put travel bans and financial sanctions in place against Laurent Gbagbo and his closest advisors.

Even though the African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have repeatedly send mediators to convince Mr. Gbagbo to give up power, these efforts have yet to bear fruit.

Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter / Photo: The Elders

Two members of The Elders – an independent group of eminent global leaders who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity – will travel to Sudan to observe next week’s referendum on Southern Sudanese independence. Former US President Jimmy Carter and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be part of The Carter Center’s international observation mission.

The Elders have urged international and Sudanese officials across the country to ensure that the rights of all voters are respected in the week-long referendum beginning on Sunday, 9 January 2011.

Two members of The Elders, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, will observe the referendum process as part of the Carter Center’s international observation mission.

The vote on self-determination for Southern Sudan is part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended more than 20 years of war between north and south Sudan. 3.9 million people have registered to vote, more than half of them women.

Read more

The losses of Senator Sam Brownback (who was elected as Governor of Kansas) and Senator Russ Feingold (who lost his re-election campaign) will certainly be felt, especially in the short-term. These two Senators were true leaders on Sudan issues and the anti-genocide agenda more broadly.

They both worked to shine a spotlight on Sudan before millions of Americans came together to try to stop genocide in Darfur. They exercised their oversight responsibilities with principle and nuanced perspective, even though they knew it probably wouldn’t garner them many votes.

Sam Brownback reached across the aisle to partner with Democrats at every opportunity to support peace in Sudan, even when it meant challenging a president of his own party.

Russ Feingold found innovative legislative mechanisms to enhance U.S. policy and was often the most forceful questioner of administration witnesses testifying on Sudan (video).  Here is a small sample of the actions he has taken.

Please thank these two champions by calling their offices and leaving a brief message with their receptionist.  To thank Senator Brownback call (202) 224-6521.  To thank Senator Feingold call (202) 224-5323.

Genocide Arrest Warrant For Bashir

• ICC Genocide Warrant: What does it mean?
  What the ICC’s new arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir really means
• ICC Issues Arrest Warrant for Omar al-Bashir on Charge of Genocide
  The International Criminal Court’s Statement
• Reactions from the Sudanese Government
  Government of Sudan’s response
• US says Sudan’s president should go to Hague (AFP)
  U.S. State Department response
• Rights Groups Respond To New “Genocide” Arrest Warrant For President Bashir
  Save Darfur Coalition and partners response
• TAKE ACTION: Protect Civilians and Support Justice
  Tell the Obama Administration to prevent a repeat of last year’s merciless retaliation against civilians by the Khartoum regime

Referendum on Southern Secession

• Opinion: In Sudan, War Is Around the Corner (New York Times)
  Dave Eggers and John Prendergast write about the United States’ responsibility to prevent a return to war in South Sudan
• South Sudan religious leaders back independence (AFP)
  Christian and Muslim leaders in south Sudan call for people to choose independence in January’s referendum
• South Sudan Envoy Calls Talks With Khartoum ‘Peaceful Divorce’ (VOA)
  Voice of America on negotiations between the SPLM and GOS

Other Important Sudan Related News

• PROMISES, PROMISES: US fails to punish Sudan (AP)
  The Obama Administration’s response (or lack thereof) to Khartoum’s bad behavior
• Darfur violence kills 221 in June: peacekeepers (Reuters)
  Another deadly month in Darfur
• US, Britain, Norway ‘deeply concerned’ on Sudan (AFP)
  Sudan Troika express concern over the deteriorating security situation in Darfur and the repressive behavior of the Sudanese Government since April’s rigged elections.
• Sudan’s Army Says It Has Driven Rebels From New Darfur Base (Bloomberg)
  Sudan’s army claims to have driven JEM from their base in western Darfur
• Sudan to close border with Libya (BBC)
  Sudan shuts it’s border to “protect travelers from ‘rebels and outlaws’”
• Escalating Violence In Post-Election Sudan
  The situation in Darfur has rapidly deteriorated since Sudan’s April elections