2010 Annual Report

2010 Grantee Spotlight - Africa

Al-Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development (Sudan)

The Al-Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development (KACE), a NED partner since 2007, used 2010 to test the limits of the greater political openness envisioned by Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

In the months before Sudan’s national elections in April 2010, KACE led in the formation of a consortium of more than 100 civil society organizations, TAMAM, which was successful in gaining accreditation from the National Elections Commission to conduct domestic monitoring.

With assistance from NED and the Carter Center, TAMAM trained 86 area coordinators responsible for a total of 1,931 local observers, who were deployed throughout northern Sudan. The elections were peaceful, but due a suspicious census and registration process — documented by TAMAM — many of the leading opposition parties boycotted the process, and the elections failed to garner much legitimacy. TAMAM issued a sharply critical report following the elections. Despite disappointment with the elections, however, the stakes in the subsequent referendum for self-determination in southern Sudan were even greater, and both KACE and TAMAM mobilized to facilitate a peaceful and open process.

During the interim between the two elections, KACE held a series of symposiums in Khartoum evaluating the elections, as well as on topics such as “Risks and Impact of Southern Secession,” “Obstacles to Popular Consultation in the Nuba Mountains,” and “Increasing the Chances of Voluntary Unity.” KACE also held a series of training workshops on the popular consultations and Abyei referendum, issues that will remain unresolved after the referendum and could either help or hinder Sudan’s political development. KACE organized a wide-ranging program of cultural events as well, such as music concerts and a film series. KACE activities were well-attended by participants from across Sudan’s political spectrum, including the Justice, Baath, Umma and Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement parties.

In October, KACE launched a campaign called Citizenship Rights and People Unity, urging the recognition of dual nationality for northern and southern Sudanese; respect for freedom of movement, residence, ownership and work; and, in general, tolerance for southerners living in the north and northerners living in the south. With assistance from the US Institute for Peace, KACE held a two-day conference on “Searching for Lasting Peace for Darfur,” which generated an important report and recommendations, and received considerable national and international press.

Now more than ever, Sudan needs democratic answers to its long-entrenched conflicts. Founded in memory of Al-Khatim Adlan, one of Sudan’s great progressive political thinkers, KACE will continue to push the limits in this challenging environment.