الخميس، 6 أغسطس 2009

U.S. Government Signs $21 Million Implementation Protocol in Support of National Elections in Sudan

The Ministry of International Cooperation, the National Elections Commission (NEC), the United States Government (U.S. Government), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) today signed an Implementation Protocol for $21 million to support voter education and domestic observation programs for national elections in Sudan. The voter education and domestic observation program is a cornerstone of the U.S. Government’s assistance for national elections, a critical milestone in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Acting through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Government is funding these voter education activities to reach voters across the country, informing them of the electoral process and how to participate in it. Assistance to Sudanese electoral observers includes training and other support for observation teams, enabling Sudanese observers to confirm first-hand the credibility of the electoral process. The activities will be implemented by NDI, in partnership with the NEC and Sudanese civil society organizations.

The U.S. Government is the leading international donor to Sudan, and USAID’s development program in Sudan is its most comprehensive in Africa. USAID support for national elections includes election administration assistance to the NEC; voter education, domestic observation, and political party training in addition to international observation. By signing this protocol with the Ministry of International Cooperation and the National Elections Commission, the U.S. Government furthers its unwavering support to help establish a foundation for a just and durable peace in Sudan, with the broad participation of the Sudanese people.