Umma National Party Memorandum to the UN Meeting on Sudan
To: H.E the UNSC chairperson
Honorable members of the UNSC
We welcome your visit to Sudan which is bound to send positive signals. The
referendum is inevitable. However as things stand now, it is bound to repeat the
scenario of the April elections with even worse consequences. This can and
should be avoided if the following course is espoused:
1. The current circumstances in Sudan will not allow the present Referendum
Commission to conduct a Referendum whose outcome is universally accepted. The
only feasible alternative is for a UN administration of the Referendum.
2. There are about twenty points of disagreement between the CPA parties,
which cannot be resolved before January 2011. Therefore, we suggest the
formation of a Commission of Sudanese Wise-persons to be commissioned with
resolving them. They should be given enough time irrespective of the date of the
Referendum, say the end of 2012. However, the Referendum should be conducted in
time.
3. Darfuris now burning and the situation there since last April has
deteriorated. We suggest acceptance of the Heidelberg Document as a basis for an
All Darfur Conference, to be held immediately. There are some observations about
the document, but it is the most comprehensive preparation, so far, for peace in
Darfur. Nothing would prevent a Darfur Peace Agreement on this basis but lack of
Political Will.
4. It is necessary that the climate of Human Rights and Basic Freedoms in
Sudan be guaranteed to ensure a positive climate for the Referenda.
5. Both Unity and Secession are Constitutional Choices. However, it is
necessary to guarantee that neither will lead to a resumption of hostilities.
It is necessary to agree upon certain reforms which could tip the balance in
favor of Unity. However, it is necessary to agree upon a plan-B namely, a
Protocol to ensure a special sisterly relationship between the two Sudanese
Successor States, in case of a vote for secession. This Protocol should include
a pact of Development and Security Cooperation. Failing to conduct the
Referendum or an unsatisfactory one, will simply fuel current disparities and
fan the flames of War.
We look up to the International Community to help us help ourselves, so please
measure your honorable response to the gravity of the challenges, and eschew
quick fixes which hinge their hopes upon a non- existent bilateral accord or a
superficial attitude to the Referenda which, like the last elections, sacrificed
substance to formality.
Umma National Party
Mariam Al-Mansoura