Council for a Community of Democracies

Sudanese Elections Announced for April
January 28, 2010
By: Paul Larson

Sudan will hold a general election in April, the first multi-party vote since the 1986 coup. The National Elections Commission (NEC) began accepting nominations for Parliament and President on Tuesday. This development fulfills a significant step in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 to end the Second Sudanese Civil War.

The current President Omar al-Bashir has resigned from the commander-in-chief of the army in order to fulfill a procedural requirement to accept the nomination from the National Congress Party (NCP). According to the Sudan Tribune, some observers feared al-Bashir would refuse to resign control of the military in an effort to prevent a possible future coup. The move ends al-Bashir’s 44 year career in the Sudanese military. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir for alleged crimes committed in Darfur, including crimes against humanity and other war crimes.

The southern Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has chosen Yassir Arman as their candidate. He currently serves as the Deputy Secretary General for Northern Sudan and the head of the SPLM bloc in the National Assembly. The current South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has been nominated to remain at his post in anticipation for the referendum on South Sudan independence, expected next year. According to the BBC, al-Bashir has announced that he will support the referendum for independence, even if the oil-rich South votes to secede. Unlike Al-Bashir, Kiir has ruled out stepping down from his military position. An official explained to the Sudan Tribune that the role of President is to be commander-and-chief, therefore, Kiir’s resignation would be unnecessary.

The former Sudanese Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi has entered the race as well. He held office from 1986-89, but was removed during the coup led by al-Bashir. Some observers have reported al-Mahdi’s candidacy as a boost for the election result’s legitimacy. However, the Enough Project questions how the elections can be legitimate considering the region of Darfur will not participate in the election.

According to the BBC, Al-Bashir is expected to be elected because he has widespread popularity as a northern candidate that can win the electorally strong northern population centers.

Sources:
BBC News - Sudan's ousted Sadiq al-Mahdi enters election race

BBC News - Sudan President Bashir starts re-election bid

BBC News - Sudan's SPLM leader Salva Kiir snubs national election

BBC News - Will Bashir let the south go?

Enough Project – Sudan’s Election Paradox

Sudan Tribune - Kiir will not step down as army chief if nominated for presidential election

Sudan Tribune – Sudan’s Bashir steps down as army chief, wins reelection backing from 20 parties

Sudan Tribune - SPLM nominates Yasir Arman to contest against Bashir