Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Kordufan a province of Sudan!!!



South Kordofan Elections, Who will Win?
Posted on Wednesday, April 06 @ 00:00:00 UTC by admin

Report by: Mona Al-Bashir

South Kordofan will witness supplementary elections on May, 2. The election is to elect the office of the Governor in addition to members of Legislative Council of States.




Originally scheduled to take place in April last year, it was postponed in response to memorandum submitted by political forces in the state upon weakness of representation of the state in terms of geographical constituencies and parliamentary representation in National Assembly and Legislative Council putting into consideration outcomes of recent census.


There is powerful competition among different political forces in South Kordofan to win elections. Paying the electoral scene a quick look, we discovered the National Congress Party (NCP) has nominated Mawlana Ahmad Mohammad Haroun for the office of South Darfur Governor while Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) has nominated General Abdul Aziz al Hilu for the same office.


Other nominees are independent General Telophon Kuku Abu Jalha, Al Tahir Adam Hamouda from Umma National Party (NUP) in addition to Ustaz Mekki Ali Balaeil from Equality Party and all of them are nominated for the office of the governor.


Member of Higher Electoral Committee, Abdul al Jabar Ibrahim affirmed that five persons have been nominated for the office of governor while 245 from different political parties in addition to 34 independent nominees have been nominated for geographical constituencies. Party lists are ten and women lists are seven.


Nomination of General Telephon as independent nominee stirred up a buzz as he has been one of the commanders of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), the military branch of SPLM.


SPLM has accused election commission of not respecting for it accepted nomination of Telephon although he doesn't reside in South Kordofan. Spokesperson of SPLM Mohamadeen Ibrahim stated to press that nomination of Telephon is illegal as he doesn't reside in South Kordofan currently. He accused the commission of working for the sake of NCP in order to weaken SPLM in the upcoming elections.


Withdrawal of Nominees


Before the inauguration of electoral campaigns two parties withdrew their nominees for the office of the governor. NUP and Equality Part withdrew their nominees and election will be restricted to three nominees from NCP and SPLM in addition to General Telephon as the only independent nominee. What is striking is that General Telephon has been nominated while he is in prison. He was arrested by SPLM in South Sudan and he is still in prison.


Senior Figure of NUP, General Fadul Allah Borma Nasser stated that withdrawal of NUP nominee is based on the exceptional situations in South Kordofan state. He added that the state is suffering from association of Abyei issue in addition to issue of popular consultation.


He affirmed that resolution these issues through solo approach will lead to more ethnical and regional polarization. He added that NUP is convinced on conducting election on national agenda guaranteeing peace and consistency of social components in the state.


"We view that competition will result in unfavorable result. To express our good will, we withdraw from the election to avoid expected conflicts," voiced Borma.


Chairperson of Equality Party, Mekki Ali Baleil affirmed presence of obstructions hampering them from participating in election. He said that the obstacles confronting the party are topped by financing. He pointed out that election is very expensive and his poor party cannot afford to it. He stated that they exerted great efforts to overcome the obstacle however they failed. He affirmed that they haven't withdraw totally, clarifying that they participate at the level of geographical constituencies. He affirmed that his party is likely to support the independent nominee, General Telephon.


Election on hot surface


It is clear that the election in South Kordofan will be conducted on hot surface as number of political parties will participate in election for the first time post absence lasted for 20 years. Socialist Arabic Ba'ath, Sudanese Communist, New National Democratic in addition to Muslims' Brotherhood parties has never participated in elections since 1986.





Nominee of Ba'ath Party for Goz Consistency Ismail Badr Ahmad said that his party participates currently while putting into account aspects distinguishing current stage of Sudan's history. He affirmed that they participate so as to contribute to political change as well as providing citizens who have been affected by war with basic services. He affirmed that his party is capable to win elections, stressing importance of preserving peace and stability in the region regardless of the outputs of the election.


Muslims' Brotherhood who participates in 3 constituencies in Dalanj, Goz and Babanosa stressed importance of sound environment guaranteeing impartial, democratic and free election to avoid the state any expected disputes. Member of the party Ayad Mohammad al Balla Abdul Rahman stated that South Kordfan is witnessing new era, adding that all opposing forces participating are required to preserve political equilibrium in the region.


In the workshop organized by election commission in March, 14, 2001, all political forces stressed the importance of raising the legal awareness of the workers in election. They called on the commission to involve integrated forces in protecting election besides police force. The workshop has recommended facilitating documentation for all parties participating.


Number of political parties affirmed that the have benefited from recent electoral record in addition to close observation revealing slight mistakes that can be overcome easily.


Police force affirmed its readiness to secure elections. It has carried out number of workshops and seminars to enlighten its workers on importance of election. The workshop conducted in Kadugli on election recently indicates importance of rehabilitating policemen properly to guarantee safety of election.


Preliminary lists released by political parties reveal organizational defect seizing these political forces. Higher committee of election has canceled nominations submitted by United National Party. Number of the party nominees has been dismissed in different geographical constituencies and women's lists. The dismissed nominees are Jabra Kuku nominated in constituency No (14), Mohammad Basher Kabashi nominated in constituency No (3) and Adam al Ghideel Hamid in constituency No (1). Nominee Habilla Adam affirmed that spirit of change that spreads among citizens will support political parties a shift from financial superiority upon which particular parties depend.


The commission ascribed dismissal to defect in documents. Some constituencies including Miram, Sitate and Kilik where only three nominees are present witness tangible fewness in the number of nominees while others witness intensive turnout.


Beginning of the battle


In preparation for the electoral battle, each party has announced its readiness to support its nominee. Nominee of NCP, Ahamad Haroun announced that, Advisor of the President, Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie will inaugurate his electoral campaign. Al Hilu stated that his campaign will be inaugurated by President of Government of South Sudan (GoSS), Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit accompanied by Minister of Cooperation in GoSS, Dr. Deng Alor. NCP campaign inaugurated by Dr. Nafie bears a slogan saying "Campaign of Hope, Work and Work". Number of senior figures from NCP and other parties participated in the campaign.


Addressing the campaign, Dr. Nafie said that parties of Diaspora in Khartoum summoned so as to a fail the election in the name of marginalized people in South Kordofan, affirming victory of NCP despite conspiracies. "We are not a party that depends on individuals; we are a party depends on idea and achievement," voiced Dr. Nafie. He welcomed presence of SPLM in South Kordofan adding that their competition with the movement is based on honesty.


He attacked the cultural discourse of new Sudan adopted by SPLM, adding that any political program insists on stirring ethnical as well as religious disputes among Sudanese won't survive, adding that experience has approve that SPLM is incapable to rule the south, let alone the entire Sudan. He called on South Kordofan people to vote for the program unifying visions a shift from voting for hollow slogans.


The rally witnessed the campaign in Kadugli Stadium repeated slogans supporting Ahmad Haroun and number of officials headed by Haroun addressed the rally. Nominee of SPLM Abdul Rahman Jubarra who participated in the campaign, announced his setback from SPLM as well as from election, affirming his affiliation to NCP.


Ahmad Haroun pledged citizens to continue efforts aiming at achieving development. He said that developmental projects already implemented in the state are only small part of the obligations towards South Kordofan people. He renewed government commitment not to return to war, affirming their keenness to preserve security and stability in the region. He pointed out that South Kordofan has distinguished history referring back to Taghalli and Ghadeer Kingdoms. He affirmed their desire to devote upcoming election for preserving peace and stability.


Former nominee for the office of the President, Chairperson of National Democratic Party, Moneer Sheikh Addin affirmed his support to Haroun.





Opportunity to win


Many observers think that opportunities of SPLM to win supplementary election of South Kordofan are very few, ascribing this fewness to detention of General Telephon Kuku. Observers view that backing Haroun in the election is a national duty so as to put an end for the conspiracy woven by SPLM in the region.


Editor-in-Chief of Intibaha daily, al Saddig al Riziqi indicated on his column in the newspaper that upcoming election represents decisive battle against SPLM which tries as hard as possible to spread tension across South Kordofan.


He affirmed that rallying for the purpose of defeating such a conspiracy is a national duty. He affirmed that Haroun has led South Kordofan depending on new vision enabled him to establish security and stability in the state.


It is clear that the electoral battle of South Kordofan will be very tough with expected intervention of foreign parties post a visit conducted by American officials to the region last March.


NCP has prepared all its potential to win the battle putting into consideration strategic, social and political weight of South Kordofan.

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