The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Sudanese living in the resource-rich border region between the north and south of the country have bleak views of their current situation and the future, according to focus group research released this month by NDI. Focus group participants from the state of Southern Kordofan consider their security and development situation to be deteriorating. Still reeling from an upsurge of violence last May, residents of Abyei are pessimistic about the possibility of sustained peace. Participants from Blue Nile state feel more hopeful about their prospects.

Author:  National Democratic Institute Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  03/31/2009 Resource Type:  Report Language:  English Media Type:  PDF This is NDI’s second in-depth study of the Three Areas, which is composed of the states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and the territory of Abyei. Implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 is most difficult and peace most precarious in the Three Areas, in part because they lie along the resource-rich North-South border. This research was designed to examine citizen perceptions about progress toward permanent peace since the signing of the CPA.

L’Uomo Vogue | Link to article » English (*.pdf) Italian (*.pdf) Author(s):  Ben Affleck

Broadcasts from wind-up and solar-powered radios distributed across remote areas of Southern Sudan are helping the region's citizens prepare for elections to be held in 2009. Since July, NDI has placed more than 40,000 of the distinctive blue-colored radios in the hands of prospective voters in Sudan's Three Areas -- Abyei, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Author:  Traci D. Cook Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  09/30/2008 Resource Type:  Report Language:  English

In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ended one of the longest and deadliest civil wars in modern history—the Second Sudanese Civil War—and established a path for a democratic transition. NDI began working toward this transition in Sudan in 2002 through programs aimed at promoting citizen participation in politics and government accountability, including public opinion research, civil society support, civic education and election monitoring. Sudan has since met important CPA benchmarks—most notably holding the first national elections in 24 years in April 2010, and holding the Southern Sudan Self-Determination Referendum in January 2011, which resulted in the formation of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) on July 9, 2011. Apart from these milestones, however, peace and democracy remain elusive in Sudan. Reports indicate that violence continues in Darfur while peace efforts have been stalled repeatedly. Violence between Sudan’s military and rebel fighters has beset Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states since disputed state elections in May 2011, an ongoing humanitarian crisis that has prompted international condemnation and U.S. congressional hearings. In 2012, tensions between Sudan and South Sudan reached a boiling point when the Sudanese military bombed territory in South Sudan, leading to hostilities over the disputed Heglig (or Panthou) oil fields located along the Sudan-South Sudan border. Resolutions adopted in May 2012 by the African Union and United Nations Security Council hold the possibility of bringing stability and peace, but the future is uncertain.  Civil society, government officials and political parties in Sudan face enormous challenges to peace and democracy in such an unstable political environment. Recent economic volatility and controversial austerity measures in Sudan since the separation of South Sudan has only furthered these challenges. While NDI closed its Khartoum office in January 2012 due to funding constraints, the Institute is eager to return to Sudan. NDI hopes to build on its strong relationships and expertise to promote democratic processes and support Sudanese civil society to monitor future elections, build viable opposition parties, increase women’s political participation and improve government service delivery for a more stable democracy in the future. For information on NDI South Sudan, click here. Read More NDI in Sudan Domestic Observation Civic and Voter Education in Sudan Focus Group Research in Sudan's Three Areas Let's Talk: Radio Programming for Civic Education Contact Information Subscribe to updates about Sudan In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ended one of the longest and deadliest civil wars in modern history—the Second Sudanese Civil War—and established a path for a democratic transition. NDI began working toward this transition in Sudan in 2002 through programs aimed at promoting citizen participation in politics and government accountability, including public opinion research, civil society support, civic education and election monitoring.

Author:  Traci D. Cook Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  09/18/2007 Resource Type:  Report Language:  English

Author:  National Democratic Institute Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  12/01/2005 Resource Type:  Report Language:  English

Author:  Traci D. Cook Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  02/23/2007 Resource Type:  Report Language:  English