Darfur Peace and Development

November 16, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir vowed today that his government will facilitate conducting the April 2010 presidential and parliamentary elections in a fair and free manner.

File photo showing Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (L) and his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki hold talks in Asmara, March 23, 2009 (Reuters)

“We will not get closer to god through deceit and forgery” Al-Bashir told a crowd at the Red Sea city of Port Sudan along side with his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afewerki.

Sudan is currently going through a voter registration process amid accusations by opposition parties of widespread fraud but the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) led by Bashir denied the allegations.

Some observers have pointed out that the awareness campaign on the registration process has been poor prompting calls for extending the registration period that ends this month.

Bashir urged the residents of Port Sudan to be diligent in registering for voting saying it is a “certificate and an obligation”. He also said that his visit is not for election purposes adding that his government has prioritized the needs of the people of Eastern Sudan.

The Sudanese president inaugurated a number of projects including an industrial complex and a bridge by his name.

He hailed the positions of Eritrea and its president noting that his first visit after being indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) was to Asmara.

“This was the nail in the tomb of the court [ICC]” Bashir said.

Afewerki on his end said he returns to Port Sudan 42 years after leading from it resistance against Ethiopia to liberate Eritrea.

Bashir and Afewerki held bilateral talks after which they issued instructions to their border provinces to bolster cooperation and speed up linking the road between Massawa and Port Sudan.

(ST)