EU deploys election observers in Sudan

(B2) A delegation of 138 observers from the European Union (EU), led by the Belgian PS MEP, Véronique de Keyser, has now begun to deploy to Sudan, to observe the preparations for the elections and the electoral campaign: 58 observers have already arrived or are about to arrive. They will be reinforced for the duration of the election by the following 80 observers as well as a delegation from the European Parliament. Sudan is holding general elections on April 11 and 18. A country that is neither small (2,5 million km2) nor peaceful. Suffice to say that V. De Keyser's mission will not be easy. " It is obvious that we will not be able to go to each polling station, we will take samples (...). We will draw our conclusions not only from our observations but also from trends in different regions and data “, she declared, according to AFP, during a press conference in Kharthoum. " This is an important step in the establishment of the comprehensive peace agreement and the political future of Sudan explained, for her part, in Brussels Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. " The role of European observers is not to validate the candidatures and the results but only to verify that the election process respects the international criteria of democratic and sincere election. She added.

(NVP)