Fears that Western Equatoria on the brink of election violence

One day into Sudan's election extension, electoral intimidation is rising in Western Equatoria State (WES). Over 60% of polling centers are being controlled by the security forces, scaring many registered voters to exercise their democratic rights as enshrined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan.

On Wednesday evening, many citizens were dismayed to witness the beating of Mr. Sylvester Ruati, an assistant to the independent candidate Colonel Bangasi Bakosoro Joseph who is contesting for the gubernatorial position of WES. Sylvester happens to be my brother and as a journalist who has written extensively on the atrocities of the so called Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in the Great Lake region, I feel it is now my responsibility to highlight this injustice.

My brother had already been targetted and beaten in January of this year. Last night he was left in coma and was rushed to Yambio hospital. The state police department is investigating the case. Most of my family members, including myself, are on the run and hiding in fear of being harassed at night given the harsh treatment people are receiving from the security forces.

Eyewitnesses said, “At Ikpiro polling center, officials of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and party agents had closed the center at about 5:30PM. However, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) commanding officer deployed to the center since day one of elections in Western Equatoria, came in after the closure, harassing the NEC polling officers and party agents, especially those affiliated to Col. Bakosoro.” He was quoted as saying: “I will deal with you, because we fought for this land. You party agents you are accusing or reporting us to white international observers. We want make sure SPLM candidate maintains power, we don’t care about your votes.” The SPLA officer was further reported to have said that the NEC officials and agents should have waited for him first, in spite of the fact that time was over for voting. One of the observers who witnessed the horrible scenes at Ikpiro polling center described it as “the most difficult election intimidation I have seen, since observing elections in many Africans countries.”

In related news it has been reported that a polling officer in WES' Yangiri Payam, Mr. Natal Sakondo, narrowly survived last night as six unknown gunmen entered his brother’s compound in search of him. A family member was quoted as saying: “They came at midnight, knocked at my door and forcefully asked me to show to them where my brother is sleeping. I told them he left for Yangiri Payam.” She added that “the gunmen asked for Sakondo’s car driver. I told them he was not around either. Then they insisted to enter all rooms. Fortunately my brother hid himself under the bed. After failing to get hold of him, one of the guys said: 'For four attempts we wanted to kill you, but you survived all. One day we shall kill you!'"

In the morning after the incident two truckloads of soldiers were sent to Yangiri Payam. It was reported and confirmed that the soldiers searched every house in Yangiri looking for Natal Sakondo. Voting was disrupted in Yangiri for the whole day. Local security analysts say, the conflict stems back from a long time grudge between him and the state caretaker governor who accused him of having prevented Yangiri citizens from attending her campaign rally in Mid-March. It is worthy to mention that, most of the security forces harassing Western Equatorian people are not from Western Equatoria. In Western Equatoria soldiers are deployed to almost all the polling centers.

Furthermore, the stealing of ballot papers is common in Western Equatoria, as the sitting government realizes that many voters have not voted for the SPLM nominee for the post of governorship. Now every voter in WES is paying prize for this. For instance, at one of Gangura Payam's polling centers a ballot box full of stamped ballot papers was detained by the police. The stolen ballot papers have been linked to Hon. James Bage, a strong supporter of the incumbent governor, who is seeking votes at Gangura constituency. The stollen ballot papers include:

1.  State Legislative assembly – 1,000

2.  Women list (national assembly) – 1,000

3.  Women list (state assembly), - 1,000

4.  GOSS assembly (party list) – 1,000

5.  President of Sudan – 1,000

6.  GOSS president – 1, 000

7.  State Governor – 1,000

8.  National assembly (party list) – 1,000

9.  State party list – 1,000

10. Geographical constituency – 1,000

An aide to the caretaker governor was seen driving ballot boxes to Tambura under protection of security forces. Many citizens in WES are puzzled and worried of such terrible scenes to come ahead as Western Equatoria State awaits counting to begin Thursday evening.