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Southern Sudan Party Widens its Boycott of Sunday's Election

   Ezikiel  Lol  Gatkuoth  of  the  southern  Sudan mission to the United
   States  says  the  SPLM  decision  was based on concerns for electoral
   irregularities

   James Butty | Washington, DC 07 April 2010
   Sudanese  youth  activists  from  the  orange opposition group Grifna,
   which  means  'we  are fed up,' carry a mock coffin symbolizing 'dead'
   elections  during  a  protest  in  front  of  the  National  Elections
   Commission in Khartoum, 06 Apr 2010

Photo: AP

   Sudanese  youth  activists  from  the  orange opposition group Grifna,
   which  means  'we  are fed up,' carry a mock coffin symbolizing 'dead'
   elections  during  a  protest  in  front  of  the  National  Elections
   Commission in Khartoum, 06 Apr 2010

   The  main  political  party  in  Sudan's  southern  region â the Sudan
   Peopleâs Liberation Movement (SPLM) â has decided to widen its planned
   boycott of next weekâs national elections.

   The  SPLM announced Tuesday it will not participate in any legislative
   or local elections in the north of the country.

   Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, head of the Southern Sudan mission to the United
   States  said  the  SPLM  decision  is  based on concerns for electoral
   irregularities.

   âThe  SPLMâs northern sector, they have decided that since Yasir Arman
   is  withdrawing  for the same irregularities and the problems that are
   facing  the electoral process, they have concluded the same thing will
   apply  to  other  positions.  So  the  SPLM  northern sector they have
   decided they are going to boycott the elections,â he said.

   Gatkuoth  said  the SPLM southern sector has decided to participate in
   the  elections  in  southern  Sudan  line with the Comprehensive Peace
   Accord (CPA).

   âIt is very important for the world to know that CPA was also meant to
   address the grievances of the people of southern Sudan. Thatâs in 2011
   we  are  going  to go for a referendum. And then in that referendum we
   will  decide  if we are going to be part of Sudan or we are seceding,â
   Gatkuoth said.

   SPLM secretary general Pagan Amum told reporters Tuesday the SPLM will
   still  participate  in  local elections in the south and in the border
   states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

   Gatkuoth said the decision is also in line with the CPA.

   âIt  is  very  important  for you to know that the CPA states that the
   elected parliament of the two states in Northern Kordofan and Southern
   Blue  Nile  they will be the ones to actually decide the future of the
   two  states  through  a  popular  consultation,  the  same  as  having
   elections in the south,â Gatkuoth said.

   He  said  southern  Sudan  will  take  part  in the national elections
   scheduled  for April 11-13) and predicted that President Salva Kiir of
   the autonomous southern Sudan will be re-elected.

   âYes,  we  are going to take part in the elections. From the president
   of the south to the members of parliament, SPLM is going to win in the
   south  and  President  Salva (Kiir) will be re-elected as the peopleâs
   president of the south,â Gatkuoth said.

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