First election code of conduct in the history of Southern Sudan

Political parties in Southern Sudan have agreed upon an election code of conduct for the first time in their history.  But what good is an election code of conduct without any body to monitor the conduct of the parties?

At least 17 parties including the south’s ruling Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) met this week with the African Union (AU) headed by Pierre Buyoya the former President of Burundi. Reading the declaration, Mahmud Abdul, AU advisor said that “The code of conduct will ensure free, fair and inclusive elections" The document further read that the parties must be protected from any form of "intimidation and violence".  The parties agreed to re-commit to the 2005 peace deal that ended a 22 year long civil war and leads towards the right of self determination that shall be exercised in a referendum in January 2011.  "All political parties in Sudan re-commit themselves to implementing the provisions of the CPA fully and faithfully in accordance with the time agreed, especially with the right of self determination of the people of southern Sudan" the document read.

According to southern Vice President Riek Machar, "It is a very important document because for the first time we are addressing issues of free and fair elections. It commits all parties to play a fair game in the election process" Francis Luawala Yudah, secretary general of the United Democratic Front UDF in Central Equatoria called upon the ruling SPLM to abide to the code of conduct and prove to the international community that the region is capable of conducting free and fair elections. Labuk Simon, chief organizer of the youths for United Democratic Salvation front UDSF mainstream, added that the code is a responsibility of both ruling parties in the south and in the north.  “The ruling parties must take the initiative to respect and implement the code of conduct,” he said. The implementation is always the problem, said Jimmy Wongo, a member of the United Sudan African Party USAP.

But Jimmy Wongo raises the important issue.  If it is the security of the Government that is supposed to implement the code, this does not create a neutral base as the government is a politiical party themselves.   The NEC or similar body should see this an extension of their role.

The code of conduct also requested parties to solve disputes arising from the out come of the election in a legal and peaceful manner in accordance with democratic principles. Peter Abdulman Sule, leader of the UDF noted that the code should have been adopted way before the registration in November and not now saying that many violations on candidates had already been committed previously.

Clement Juma Mbugoniwia, party leader of the United South Sudan Party USSP said the code was a good initiative although it’s late.  “The code of conduct has been adopted in close dates to the elections yet much harassment has already been experienced,” added Mbugoniwia.

President of the Government of South Sudan , Salva Kiir Mayardit reiterated his commitment to the code of conduct during his opening remarks. “I want to assure all party leaders that we are committed to this process and the code will not be violated by the SPLM and I hope all of us will abide by what we commit our selves to,” said the Goss President. “We will ensure that the elections campaigns are violent and intimidation free,” Kiir added.

Pierre Buyoya, a former Burundian president, who chaired the meeting for the AU said “My strong message is that to achieve free and fair elections is primarily the responsibility of the political parties, independent candidates and the government. This agreement will help create a conducive environment for that," he added.

Southern presidential candidate Lam Akol, who is from the splinter SPLM Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party, also signed. The northern-ruling National Congress Party (NCP) was not present at the meeting, but senior AU officials said the party had committed itself to signing the deal later.  When exactly is to be confirmed.

The African Union hopes to implement a similar agreement in the north, although northern based parties including the Umma and Popular Congress Party (PCP) made extra efforts to go to sign the code in Juba.