Darfurian referendum, 2012

Sudan

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A referendum on the permanent status of the Darfur region is to be held in Sudan in 2012.^{[citation needed]} It was originally scheduled for 1 and 2 July 2011,^[1] but was delayed. The Darfur Peace Agreement signed in May 2006 included the provision for such a referendum to be held throughout the Darfur region to determine the permanent status of that region within the Republic of Sudan.^[2] The agreement also established a Transitional Darfur Regional Authority to help administer the region in the lead-up to the referendum.

Options

The referendum would give the electorate a choice between either "the creation of a Darfur Region composed of the three states" or the "retention of the status quo of three states". The referendum will be organised and supervised by the Sudanese National Election Commission and the peace agreement allows for international monitors.^[3][4]

Timescale

The Darfur Peace Agreement stated that the referendum should be held twelve months after the national elections had taken place in Darfur, and no later than July 2010. The referendum did not take place at that time.^[5] In December 2010, the secretary general of the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority, Khalid Billal Ahmad, stated that the people of Darfur will "make their final decision" in 2011 implying that the referendum will be held in that year.^[6] The Chairperson of the authority also stated his commitment to the referendum in February 2011.^[7]

On 3 March 2011, it was stated that the referendum would be held within three months.^[8][9]

On 9 March 2011, it was announced that two more states would be established in Darfur: Central Darfur around Zalingei and Eastern Darfur around Ed Daein. The presidential decree making this official has not yet been released; the rebel groups protested and stated that this was a bid to further divide Darfur's influence. It was also announced that this change would not have an impact on the planned referendum.^[10] The cabinet of Sudan endorsed the plan for additional states in Darfur on 5 May 2011.^[11]

A presidential decree was released authorizing the preparations for the referendum; the decree mentioned only three states in Darfur, indicating that the creation of Central and Eastern Darfur had been rescinded. A date was not mentioned in the decree.^[12]

In June 2011, the Government of Sudan stated that if a new Darfur Peace Agreement was adopted prior to July 2011, then preparations fro the referendum would be stopped as the new agreement would supersede the previous Abuja Agreement of 2005. The new agreement includes provisions for a compromise between three states and one greater Darfur region by proposing a three states and supervising regional authority structure. ^[13]

Just days before the referendum would have been held – with very few preparations having taken place –, it was agreed that the referendum would be delayed and that it would be held a year after the signing of a further peace agreement.^[14]

Post-referendum scenarios

The Darfur Peace Agreement outlines the two possible scenarios that could result from the referendum.^[3]

Should the majority of the electorate select the option to form a Darfur Region, then the existing Transitional Darfur Regional Authority will form a constitutional commission to determine the competencies and structure of a Darfur Regional Government. The constitution will then have to be approved by the legislative assemblies of the three Darfur states in joint sitting within three months of the referendum. This process will be overseen by the President of Sudan.

If the majority of the electorate opt to retain the status quo, the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority will be dissolved and its competencies devolved to the three states of Darfur.

See also

• Darfur conflict
• Darfur Peace Agreement

References

1. ^ Sudan's elections commission to conduct Darfur status referendum in July - People's Daily Online
2. ^ Sudan Tribune
3. ^ ^{a b} http://www.allafrica.com/peaceafrica/resources/view/00010926.pdf
4. ^ Darfur Peace Agreement US Department of State, 8 May 2006^{[dead link]}
5. ^ Darfur's Peace Process Council on Foreign Relations, 18 June 2007^{[dead link]}
6. ^ SHRIG Sudan Human Rights Information Gateway, 6 December 2010
7. ^ Sudan Human Rights Information Gateway (SHRIG) - DRTA; Abuja Determines One region For Darfur by Referendum
8. ^ Sudan to hold referendum on make-up of Darfur | Top News | Reuters
9. ^ Sudan to hold referendum on Darfur's administration status - People's Daily Online
10. ^ Darfur to be cut into smaller states; rebel protest | Top News | Reuters
11. ^ http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iHBvq2NZeD7pCR6XqqFHrQs9FA5w?docId=CNG.854889179a7ec590cda41e5232f39aed.3d1
12. ^ Sudanese president issues Republican decree on referendum on Darfur status - People's Daily Online
13. ^ Under peace deal, Sudan would halt prep for Darfur Referendum | Radio Dabanga
14. ^ Sudan and LJM rebels agree on the date of Darfur referendum - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan

External links

• Sudan national Election Commission
• Darfur Peace Agreement - full text