Causecast

by TAMMY ROSECRANS, Causecast Editor

Four months from now, in April of 2010, Sudan is scheduled to hold its first democratic election in 24 years. This election comes as part of the 2005 peace agreement that followed two decades of conflict. Though the agreement calls for a free and fair election, it appears that the National Congress Party (NCP), Sudan’s ruling regime, is not serious about upholding democracy.

Early Monday morning, protesters from 20 opposition parties gathered in Khartoum to call for reform. The protesters called for the NCP to take action on backlogged legislation that would make the democratic elections possible.

The Sudanese government banned the protest late Sunday, stating that the rally was illegal, as protesters had not applied for permission to hold a rally against the current regime. The ban directly undermined the Sudanese citizen’s constitutional rights, as well as the peace agreement made between the parties. Police clashed with the protesters, using tear gas and batons against them, resulting in the arrest of three prominent members of the leading opposition party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). The situation deteriorated further when protesters retaliated by setting fire to NCP political offices in the cities of Wau and Rumbek.

Human rights organization Save Dafur is calling international attention to the infringement of government force on civilian protesters. Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition had this to say: “The demonstrators were rallying peacefully to change laws in Sudan that currently prohibit them from speaking freely and expressing their opposition to the Bashir regime. The government’s thuggish response demonstrates why that change is necessary.”

Save Darfur is asking you to call the White House and tell President Obama to put a focus on free and fair elections in Sudan.

Think I’m kidding – no way! Literally call the White House. Here’s the number:

(202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-1414

Check out the Save Darfur blog for a sample script.

Photo by T U R K A I R O, flickr.