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EU withdraws observers from Darfur because of security and movement restrictions

161 views · Published 9 April 2010 · 1:42 · Indexed 27 October 2026

Channel: United Nations · 2010 · News & Politics

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United Nations, New York, 9 April 2010 - After his briefing yesterday to the Security Council on the status of preparations for the upcoming elections in Sudan, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy, issued remarks to the press, noting that the United Nations has been providing technical assistance and some limited logistical support to Sudans National Election Commission.
Le Roy said that we continue to express some concerns regarding aspects of the electoral environment. We have encouraged the Government, the National Election Commission and political parties to take steps to ensure respect for political freedoms and equal access to the media.  
We are encouraged by some steps taken in this regard, the Under-Secretary-General added. But it will be for observers to assess the elections. It will be important that the process and results be regarded as legitimate by the Sudanese population.
Meanwhile, our UNifeed service will be distributing election coverage from Sudan, via the UNTV fiber lines and on its website www.un.org/unifeed. That coverage will begin on Sunday at 7:30 EDT -11:30 GMT.
And I was asked yesterday about our reaction to the EUs withdrawal of observers from Darfur. We understand that the EU has withdrawn its six electoral observers from Darfur, because of insecurity and movement restrictions. This is unfortunate, but it is for the EU to decide whether the security and other conditions are in place for their personnel. We are encouraged that there will be approximately 750 international and 18,000 domestic observers monitoring these elections throughout the country.

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