SUDAN’S PRESIDENT Omar al-Bashir has threatened to expel international election monitors, following a call for a postponement of the country’s first multiparty elections in 24 years.
On state television on Monday, the president said: “Any foreigner or organisation that demands the delay of elections will be expelled sooner rather than later.
“We wanted them to see the free and fair elections, but if they interfere in our affairs, we will cut their fingers off, put them under our shoes, and throw them out,” he said.
In a report released last week, the Atlanta-based Carter Center called for a “minor” delay in the vote scheduled for April 11th, as it “remains at risk on multiple fronts”, including the ability of candidates to campaign freely and the delay in registering candidates.
“It is increasingly unclear if the [National Election Commission] can deliver a successful election on time,” the report stated.
The centre was invited by the government to monitor the elections. Other organisations are also expected to arrive before April 11th.
Opposition parties have also asked for a delay until chronic instability in the south of the country is tackled.
Human Rights Watch said on Sunday that government repression of its opponents and the tight control it wields over the media is threatening the chances of a credible election. The election commission, however, has said the vote will proceed as planned.
Mr Bashir’s threat is an echo of previous warnings to expel foreign aid groups. Last year, after the International Criminal Court served Mr Bashir with an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity in Darfur, he responded by expelling 13 foreign aid agencies, accusing them of spying for the court.
Mr Bashir has led Sudan since taking power in a bloodless coup in 1989. Since then, he has twice been re-elected president in polls that were boycotted by most opposition parties.