Thursday, January 6, 2011

Historic referendum: UN urges fair elections in Sudan

In a few days of southern Sudan will decide whether to split off into a separate state. The referendum is the decades-long civil war put an end. UN human rights commissioner Pillay urged those in power now urges a fair vote.  Four days before the start of the referendum on the independence of Southern Sudan has UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay called for a fair conduct of the vote.


Despite earlier worrying developments, such as "restrictions on press freedom and arbitrary arrests," there is now a "cause for cautious optimism," Pillay said on Thursday. Pillay expressed concern over reports that southern Sudanese living in the north are being intimidated. The authorities should ensure that the rights of voters "before, during and after the referendum" would not hurt.

"This is a critical moment in the history of Sudan," the Commissioner said in Geneva. The vote had to run "free and fair", there should be no intimidation or manipulation. Pillay welcomed the willingness of the government in the North to honor the results. Observers expect that the voters will argue for a separation of the south.

Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir, who is wanted for genocide and war crimes by the International Criminal Court arrest warrant, had visited the South on Tuesday and announced that it would respect the election results. Sudan signs agreement with rebels, the army of Southern Sudan signed a ceasefire agreement now with representatives of the rebel movement to the renegade officer George Athor.

He had instigated the rebellion in April because he saw himself cheated in a gubernatorial election to his victory. The army of South Sudan in turn was assumed that Athor and his rebels were acting on behalf of the central government to destabilize the south. The ceasefire between the rebels and the army is considered a sign of relaxation in southern Sudan.

From Sunday to decide the people of southern Sudan in a referendum on the secession of their region from the north. The referendum marks the end point of the end of 2005, signed by the central government in Khartoum and southern Sudanese rebels peace agreement, which would end the more than two decades of civil war between north and south permanently.

The Civil War is considered the longest lasting in the African history and was marked by the conflict between the Arab Muslim north and the mostly Christian black Africans of the South determined. But among the many ethnic groups in the South there is often bitter rivalry. In the north of the country 1.5 million people who are originally from the south.

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