Swedish election observers to Sudan
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, November 25, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Government decided today to send four election observers to Sudan ahead of the referendum in southern Sudan, scheduled for 9 January 2011.
“The people of southern Sudan face the historic task of deciding whether Sudan will continue to be one country or whether it will be divided. It is important that the referendum is held in accordance with international standards,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
As part of the 2005 peace agreement between the northern and southern parts of Sudan, a referendum is to be held in southern Sudan to decide whether the country will be divided.
The Swedish election observers are part of the EU election observation mission invited by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission to observe the referendum. The election observers will also monitor voter registration, which opened on 15 November. In total, the mission will comprise 44 long-term observers and 30 short-term observers.
Sida is responsible for the recruitment and training of Swedish election observers.
SOURCE
Sweden – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
