PROTOCOL FOR USG ELECTIONS SUPPORT SIGNED WITH GNU

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000926 //CORRECTED COPY - REMOVING LAST LINE OF PARA 1// NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: PROTOCOL FOR USG ELECTIONS SUPPORT SIGNED WITH GNU ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.S. and GNU officials signed a Protocol implementing USD 21 million in voter education and domestic observation programs for Sudan's 2010 national elections to be implemented by the National Democratic Institute. The protocol is the third in a series which also provides assistance to the National Election Commission, and to political parties in the North. Although the 2008 National Elections Act provides for domestic observation of elections by Sudanese civil society, NEC officials negotiating this Protocol clearly had concerns about civil society. SUMMARY. VOTER EDUCATION PROTOCOL SIGNED -------------- ¶2. (U) Minister of International Cooperation. Dr. Eltigani Saleh Fidail, NEC Deputy Chairman, Professor Abdalla Ahmed Abdalla, Charge d'Affaires (CDA),USAID Director and National Democratic Institute (NDI) Country Director Hatim Bamehriz signed an Implementation Protocol for USD 21 million to support voter education and domestic observation programs for Sudan's 2010 national elections in Khartoum on August 5. The ceremony took place at the National Elections Commission office in Khartoum. ¶3. (U) Through the Implementation Protocol, the U.S. Government will fund voter education activities to inform voters across Sudan about participation in the electoral process. In addition, the program will provide assistance to Sudanese electoral observers, including training and other support for observation teams, which will enable Sudanese observers to confirm first-hand the credibility of their electoral process. NDI will implement the activities in partnership with the NEC and Sudanese civil society organizations. The protocol is the third in a series of implementation protocols USAID has negotiated and signed to support the elections. The first enabled IFES to provide assistance to the NEC, and the second enabled the International Republican Institute (IRI) to provide multiparty training for political parties in the North. ¶4. (U) CDA told participants, print and broadcast media, and others in attendance that the U.S. Government is committed to helping Sudanese voters across the country participate knowledgeably in the electoral process. The CDA stressed the U.S. Government's commitment to the 2010 national elections. The NEC Deputy Chairman thanked the United States for its technical and material support for what he called an historic, yet complex, national election. The NEC Chairman said that the voters face significant challenges that can be met through civic education, voter education, and capacity building. He called voter education crucial for reducing confusion that could trigger election violence. The NEC Chairman said that the Sudanese government is committed to free and fair elections. ¶5. (U) COMMENT: This protocol is a vital component of the U.S. Government's support for the 2010 national elections, a critical milestone in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. END COMMENT. WHITEHEAD