Resolution on the Referendum in Sudan

The Forum of Participation of NGOs, meeting on 7-9 November 2010, in Banjul, The Gambia,

Recalling the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 9 January 2005, which put an end to 20 years of civil war between North and South Sudan;

Taking into account that in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a self-determination referendum will decide on January 2011 whether Southern Sudan will secede, likely leading to the break-up of the Sudanese state;

Taking also into account that in Abyei, a second referendum is to be held for the citizens of this region to choose whether to retain the area’s special administrative status in the north or join Southern Sudan if it decides to become independent;

Recalling Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which guarantee  that all peoples shall have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self- determination;

Considering the importance of the organisation of peaceful, free, fair, and transparent referenda and consequently the full respect of their results to maintain peace and security in the region;

Stressing the fact that peace and security in Sudan will be the consequence of a comprehensive approach for the respect of human rights in the country;

The Forum of Participation of NGOs, meeting on 7-9 November 2010, in Banjul, The Gambia, recommends the ACHPR to adopt a Resolution:

1. Requesting the parties to ensure the organisation of fair, legitimate and credible referenda;

2. Insisting on the need for the parties to provide a secure environment conducive to the conduct of the referendum in Southern Sudan;

3. Urging the parties to address critical issues relating to the preparation of the Abyei Referendum, border demarcation, localized political tension and the resolution of voter eligibility questions in Abyei;

4. Requesting the Sudanese authorities to allow and invite national and international monitors and observers for the duration of the referenda processes;

5. Insisting on the need for a workable agreement on post-referendum arrangements under the facilitation of the African union;

6. Requesting the National Congress Party of Sudan (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the two parties to the CPA, to make public commitments that the rights to freedom of movement, residence and property currently afforded to all Sudanese citizens will be preserved regardless of the outcome of the referenda;

7. Requesting the National Congress Party of Sudan (NCP) to secure the nationality right for all Sudanese regardless of the outcome of the referenda;

8. Requesting the international community, particularly the Guarantors of the CPA, to provide technical assistance to the CPA parties to reach an equitable agreement on oil sharing.

Done in Banjul, November 9th, 2010