Genocide Monitor: May 3, 2010

  • SUDAN: The first multi-party elections in 24 years are marred by multiple irregularities and electoral fraud.
  • BURMA: Tensions rise along the Thai-Burma border as the junta proceeds with its plans to integrate ethnic militias into a Border Guard Force.
  • DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: A new Oxfam report illustrates the pervasiveness of gender-based violence throughout the east.
  • SOMALIA: Millions of Somalis have been displaced by violence and drought and more than 169,000 people have fled their homes in 2010.

Call Secretary Clinton

In the wake of the recently concluded election, stalemated of U.S. policy and deteriorating situation on the ground, the United States must take a firm stance to ensure peace and justice in Sudan.

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today and tell Secretary Clinton to apply effective pressure on those who abuse civil and human rights in Sudan.  Also ask her to hold to account those responsible for creating an environment where credible elections were not possible.

Call Secretary Clinton

Spotlighted Conflict:

Situation on the Ground

National Elections Round-up

On April 11, Sudan’s first multi-party elections in 24 years began. Even before the elections started, there were concerns over the non-participation of major opposition parties, restrictions on political speech, incorrect census results and ongoing violence in Darfur.
 
The five-day election period was marred by incorrectly run polling places, spoiled ballots, intimidation at polling locations as well as electoral fraud.   These conditions resulted in the elections falling far short of international standards. 
 
On Monday, April 26, the preliminary election results were released. This confirmed that despite an outstanding ICC warrant for his arrest, Omar al-Bashir was re-elected as President of Sudan with 68% of the vote. Salva Kiir was reelected as President of South Sudan after receiving nearly 93% of the vote.
 
For more information about the elections, their aftermath and GI-NET's reaction, please visit our blog at www.genocideintervention.net/blog.

Renewed Fighting Throughout Sudan

While there were limited reports of violence surrounding the recently completed Sudanese elections, there have been increasing reports of clashes between armed groups and the Sudanese security services. 
 
On April 23, the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) reportedly repulsed an attack by Sudanese government forces southwest of the West Darfur city of Zalingei. There were no casualties reported in the attack, but the ongoing fighting between the government and JEM appears to undermine the legitimacy of the ceasefire signed by both groups in February. JEM has also accused the Sudanese army of carrying out air attacks in North and West Darfur in early April.
 
Further south, the SPLA clashed with members of the Rizeigat tribe in South Darfur’s Balbala region, near the border with Western Bahr al-Ghazal.  At least 58 people were killed during the fighting on Friday.