Possible Delays for the Sudan Referendum

On January 9, Sudan is expected to hold an independence referendum that many world leaders fear will incite the country back into civil war. According to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “handled properly, the January ballot could help build a future that improves the lives of all Sudanese. Handled poorly, it could spark conflict with consequences across Africa and beyond.”  Many believe that the election will result in North-South partition, dividing Africa’s largest country.

Due to low voter registration and delays in printing the referendum ballots, the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) has requested a three week delay for the referendum. The Government of Sudan has not responded to this request as of yet. In the mean time, the SSRC decided to extend voter registration for a week, until Wednesday, the 8th of December. There are 5 million eligible voters in Southern Sudan, yet the commission reports that about 1.3 million people have registered to vote. 

In October, at the UN General Assembly meeting, President Obama reiterated the need for peace in Sudan, saying, “We will pursue a lasting peace in Sudan through support for the people of Darfur and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, so that we secure the peace that the Sudanese people deserve…we will work with the U.N. and other  partners to support an enduring peace.”

There has been discussion within the Security Council of using some of the 10,000 peacekeepers in UNMIS to create a buffer along the border hotspots to ensure a free and fair election. While changes to the Mission remain up for debate, the Security Council has made it clear that peacekeepers will play a critical role in the months to come in Sudan.

Learn more about UN Peacekeeping in Sudan - visit our pages on the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).