Arcadia Foundation

As Sudan approaches its first multiparty election since 1986, President Omar al-Bashir warned international election observers to tread lightly after the U.S.-based Carter Center suggested delaying the elections to address the many logistical problems which, if left unfixed, may severely hamper turnout.

Opposition presidential candidate Mubarak al-Fadil interpreted the threat as a sign that Bashir is nervous, and perhaps Mr. al-Fadil is correct in that assumption. There is also a growing belief that war could ensue should the referendum process not go smoothly.

The events of today may lead to unrest and instability before the election even commences. South Sudanese authorities arrested and beat seven members of the only party running a candidate against the region’s president in April, a senior party member stated.

“They arrested nine people, including two journalists, and beat them up,” said Charles Kisanga, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) Secretary General, adding that they were released after 90 minutes.

Amidst the turmoil, Dorn Townsend continued to urge NGO workers to step aside and empower local councils and other groups as leading voices to provide a sense of societal balance and peace.

Likewise, Sean Brooks of the Save Darfur Coalition contended that the dearth of engaged civil society actors is problematic, serving only to perpetuate an ineffectual international role.

That said, if action isn’t taken soon to quell the growing fear in Sudan that free and fair elections will be stifled through intimidation and violence, the first multiparty elections in over 24 years may serve as a catalyst for the eventual fall of their fragile democracy.

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