For over twenty years, the nation of Sudan has not held a multiparty election.  That changed on Sunday, when despite protests from opposition parties and accusations of foul play, the election began.

In Khartoum, the country’s relatively developed capital, Sudanese voters went to the polls in droves to support the incumbent president Omar Hassan al-Bashir.  The “westernized” world has demonized Bashir, blaming him for committing human rights violations, ordering mass genocide in Darfur, and maintaining a relationship with Osama Bin Laden.  Just last year, the International Criminal Court charged the president with crimes against humanity.  Yet many Sudanese citizens still support their leader. “Without him, this country would turn into a Somalia. He’s the only one who can hold it together. No Bashir, no Sudan,” said one voter.

In the poverty stricken surroundings of Khartoum, where people’s basic needs are often unmet, many think the election has no meaning, particularly since several opposition parties have withdrawn.  One man made his distrust of the government clear: “Election? We don’t consider this an election.  Around here, people are still treated like slaves.”

Though the election will persist until Thursday to give every voter a chance to get to the polls, many believe that the outcome will not benefit Sudan.  This is a hard truth for a country that continues to lose hundreds of thousands of lives.  What do you think?

To take action against the genocide in Darfur, visit: http://www.savedarfur.org/

Written by: Ashley Ellis