Africa's newest country? (image from Persecution Project)

The Sudan Tribune recently reported that 24 humanitarian organizations issued a report that Sudan is “alarmingly unprepared” for the secession referendum in January 2011.

One of the key factors in insuring a peaceful transition is to clearly define the North/South Sudan border, something that has not yet been accomplished. Without both sides agreeing on what constitutes northern and southern Sudan, the possibility for a renewed conflict between the two regions is greatly increased if the South votes for independence.

The referendum on secession was one of the terms specified in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed by the North and South in 2005. A key player in the peace negotiations was the United States, which is accredited with making the CPA a reality.

However, since taking office, President Obama has been criticized by the Left and the Right for his lack of action in Sudan. Obama made many promises during his campaign about intervening in Sudan, especially Darfur. And experts agree that a strong U.S. presence will be needed to ensure that the referendum vote is honored by Northern Sudan. Few people seriously believe Southern Sudan will vote to remain part of the North.

Salva Kiir was overwhelmingly elected President of Southern Sudan and will likely become the President of Africa's newest country next year. (image from Persecution Project)

The bottom line is that the next several months are going to be crucial as Northern and Southern government officials work to reach an agreement on what a post-referendum Sudan will look like.

Many millions of Southern Sudanese live in the North. So their citizenship status would be a major issue if the South secedes. Moreover, there are questions on how to dispose the national debt, water issues (since the Nile runs through Southern Sudan, and is the lifeline for the North), and trade agreements (since all oil in Southern Sudan must run through the North to get to Port Sudan).

Please keep the work of Mocha Club and Persecution Project in your thoughts and prayers, so the security situation will remain stable enough for our work to continue.

Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki signs the new constitution in front of crowds in Nairobi (BBC Africa)

Kenya has adopted a new constitution, more than three weeks after it was overwhelmingly approved in a national referendum.

Tens of thousands of people watched as President Mwai Kibaki signed the document into law at a large ceremony in the capital, Nairobi…continue reading…

President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan arrived in Kenya on Friday to participate in a ceremony inaugurating the country’s newly minted constitution, flouting international demands for his arrest on genocide charges.

Mr. Bashir faces two arrest warrants: one issued in July by the International Criminal Court in The Hague on three counts of genocide and one from March 2009 for war crimes and crime against humanity. In theory the warrants could be enforced by any of the court’s member countries, which include Kenya…continue reading…

Twelve Africa peacekeepers died in the attack on 29 September 2007 (BBC Africa)

Two Darfur rebel leaders have surrendered to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

The men, Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain and Saleh Mohammed Jerbo Jamus, were secretly indicted last year.

They are wanted for war crimes in connection with the deaths of 12 African Union peacekeepers in 2007.

Earlier this year, charges against another rebel leader to do with the same attack were dropped because of lack of evidence.

ICC judges ruled prosecutors could not prove that Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, who also gave himself up voluntarily, had planned the attack on the Haskanita AU camp in September 2007…continue reading…

Salva Kiir, the leader of south Sudan’s former rebel group the SPLM, has been sworn in as the first elected president of the semi-autonomous southern region.

It follows his landslide victory in April’s elections, part of the peace deal that ended a 21-year civil war between north and south.

Next year, the people of Southern Sudan will vote on possible independence.

A BBC correspondent in Juba says it is widely believed that, given a free poll, they will vote in favour.

Most of Sudan’s lucrative oil is in the south, and the exact boundary with the north still has to be defined…continue reading…

The Carter Center has criticised the way in which the votes were recorded

The Carter Centre, which monitored the Sudanese elections last month, has questioned the accuracy of the results.

The vote count was “chaotic, non-transparent and vulnerable to electoral manipulation,” said the group founded by former US President Jimmy Carter.

President Omar al-Bashir was declared the winner of Sudan’s first multi-party elections in 24 years.

Observers and opposition parties complained of administrative problems, fraud and, in the south, intimidation.

The Carter Center urged Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC) to publish the results in individual polling stations and to thoroughly review the results to increase transparency and public confidence…continue reading…

It says three other Egyptian soldiers were injured in an ambush near Edd al-Fursan, South Darfur. They were later airlifted to a Unamid hospital…continue reading…

President Bashir denies committing war crimes in Darfur

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has been declared the winner of this month’s landmark elections, despite facing war crimes charges over Darfur.

Former rebel leader Salva Kiir has been confirmed in power in the semi-autonomous south in the first polls since the north-south war ended.

The polls were Sudan’s first multi-party elections in 24 years.

Observers and opposition parties have complained of fraud and – particularly in the south – of intimidation…continue reading…

Ballot boxes are sent to state capitals, from where they go to Khartoum (photo from BBC Africa)

Sudan’s poll results, due on Thursday, will be delayed – and a full picture is unlikely to emerge until next week – says the National Elections Commission.

The BBC’s James Copnall in Khartoum says the delay is because counting is taking longer than anticipated and other logistical problems.

Results so far, mainly from the north of the country, show President Omar al-Bashir’s party has a strong lead.

The polls were among the most complex elections ever held, the UN says.

They were the first multi-party presidential, parliamentary and regional elections in Africa’s largest country since 1986…continue reading…

Election monitors observed the counting of ballots (photo from BBC Africa)

Two international organisations monitoring the elections in Sudan say the controversial polls failed to meet full international standards.

The EU and the Carter Center, led by former US President Jimmy Carter, said there were significant failings, citing reports of intimidation and harassment.

However, both concluded the polls were a significant step towards democracy.

Results are to be returned on Tuesday, with Omar al-Bashir expected to be reaffirmed as president…continue reading…