NDI - South Sudan

Sandra Pepera

skincaid — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 18:41:17 +0000

Sandra Pepera is a career diplomat and international development professional. Before joining NDI as its director for Gender, Women and Democracy in 2014, she spent thirteen years as a senior officer at the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), including leading programs in the Caribbean, Rwanda-Burundi and Sudan. Prior to joining DFID, Sandra spent time in British domestic politics; lecturing in political science and international relations at the University of Ghana; and as a political analyst in the Political Affairs Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She has a portfolio of skills and experience which include strategy development, political and risk analysis, diplomacy, general management and corporate governance.

Much of Sandra’s career has been spent working in or on transitional economies, focusing on the building of resilient and inclusive institutions. She led work on women and politics at the University of Ghana and in outreach public policy during the period of intense and unstable political transition in the early 1990s. This included participating in a program that supported the ANC Women’s League during South Africa’s transition from apartheid to majority democratic rule in 1993.

Sandra is a member of the Cambridge Sustainability Leaders Network, the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Global Board Ready Women initiative, and the International Advisory Board of the Commonwealth Journal for International Affairs (the Round Table). She holds the Financial Times Diploma for Non-Executive Directors, and serves as a trustee for the pension fund of an intergovernmental organization.

NDI’s Pat Merloe Testifies Before Congress on U.S. Election Support in Africa

blesswing — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:32:58 +0000

NDI Director of Electoral Programs Pat Merloe testified at a hearing, “U.S. Election Support in Africa” on March 18 before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

“Support for democratic elections in Africa should build longer-term democratic political dynamics that result in responsive, accountable governance,” Merloe said. “International election observation can play an important role in achieving peaceful, credible elections in Africa.”

Watch the hearing »

Read Pat Merloe’s full statement here »

Read more:

NDI's Christopher Fomunyoh Testifies Before Congress on "Nigeria on the Brink?"

Experts to Discuss Critical African Elections at NDI

Published on March 18, 2015

Attachment	Size
See the 2015-2016 calendar for African elections	60.27 KB
See a map of 2015-2016 African elections	129.47 KB

Women from Sudan and South Sudan Act Together on Gender Issues

jravinsky — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:56:39 +0000

Women leaders from Sudan and South Sudan are working together for women’s rights, despite their countries’ partition in 2011. While relations between their countries are difficult, the women discovered that they face common challenges in achieving greater rights for women. Together, they defined their objectives as advocates and worked on developing the expertise to achieve them.

As part of a two year program sponsored by NDI, the women came together in four meetings to develop advocacy skills and foster cross-border connections. The final gathering was held in September at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Previous meetings took place in South Africa, South Sudan and Kenya.

“As women, we are one people,” said one of the South Sudanese participants. “We have common things that affect us together.”

Participants were selected for their background as dedicated advocates for women’s rights through political lobbying, community level messaging, academic research and legislative work. The group hailed from diverse regions, including all 10 states of South Sudan and several areas in Sudan, including Darfur and Blue Nile.

Participants identified women’s low representation in politics, peace negotiations and education as mutual problems. For example, girls’ primary school attendance in South Sudan is 39 percent, but drops to 30 percent by secondary school. In politics, both Sudan and South Sudan maintain quotas for women’s representation, yet participants said they did not feel that women were involved at the highest level of decision making. Through the course of the program, participants discussed these problems and decided upon clear goals for improving girls’ education, increasing women’s representation in peace processes and combating socio-cultural barriers that prevent women’s advancement.

Between meetings, the women applied the lessons they learned to their communities, quickly making an impact on women and gender rights. In both Sudan and South Sudan, women organized a march for peace, lobbied local businesses to support women in UN Protection Sites, and broadcast their campaign for women's rights in government, on the radio, at school and through the church.

By interviewing women and leaders in her community, one participant discovered that girls at a local school had been sexually assaulted by teachers. She worked with the girls’ parents to lobby successfully for the teachers to be arrested and dismissed from the school.

Another participant worked with a local council to increase student retention. Together, they developed and instituted a fine for parents if any child dropped out of school. Not long afterward, enrollment rose from 0 to 27 girls.

The program also facilitated the creation of a peer-to-peer network between women in Sudan and South Sudan as a forum for the women to communicate their ideas, concerns and support their “sisters” across the divide. Through an online group and emailing system, they exchange messages to share their successes and failures and provide encouragement for programming.

“After the split we were two countries and we didn’t have any relations,” said one participant. ”But if we are not together, then we will not do anything.”

Martin Luther King, III Appeals for Non-Violent Resolution to the South Sudan Crisis

dleonard — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 21:05:54 +0000

On April 25, 2014, Mr. Martin Luther King, III joined with the United Nations, the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union, governments and other international organizations, including the National Democratic Institute (NDI), to call for an immediate end to the conflict in South Sudan. King appealed to all political leaders, civil society organizations, community and religious leaders and the people of South Sudan to actively seek and support a non-violent resolution to the present crisis. His message supports those in South Sudan, particularly the South Sudan Council of Churches and the South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSuNDE), who are advocating for an inclusive and sustainable peace.

See the full transcript and watch the video below.

“Hello, I’m Martin Luther King, III, the eldest son of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.

I am joining with the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD, the European Union, governments and other international organizations, such as the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and most importantly, the South Sudan Council of Churches, to call for an immediate end to the senseless violence, destruction of property and displacement of innocent people in Africa’s newest country.

This conflict in South Sudan has been raging now for over four months. It has resulted in thousands of people having to take refuge in United Nations compounds; well over 10,000 people being killed, some through summary executions; and over one million people displaced. Thousands are without food, water or proper sanitation and have little access to health care and other basic services. If something isn’t done soon, the South Sudanese peoples will face the worst famine in Africa since the 1980s. This humanitarian catastrophe can be avoided if the political will exists.

This conflict has shown the world the worst of Africa through targeted ethnic killings, the use of rape as a weapon of war, and the brutalization of innocent civilians in hospitals, churches, mosques and at UN protected sites. I call on the signing parties to honor the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, without further violation, and for them to immediately allow humanitarian aid workers full access to care for those who are suffering as a result of the conflict-- especially women, children and the elderly.

I also encourage all non-partisan civic groups, such as the South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSuNDE), to redouble their efforts to engage citizens in the democratic process and to hold all political leaders accountable.

Now is the time for the leaders and peoples of South Sudan to show the world the best of Africa! Everyone must recognize that an armed resolution to this crisis is not possible, and if pursued, such an effort will only lead to more deaths, more destruction and more suffering. Therefore, I am respectfully appealing to all political leaders, civil society organizations, community and religious leaders and the peoples of South Sudan, to actively seek and support a non-violent resolution to the present crisis.

The whole world is watching South Sudan today. We must give peace and nonviolence a chance. But we must also begin to look beyond the day when a peaceful resolution to the crisis has been achieved. As my father once said, real peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice. Those responsible for crimes against humanity must be held accountable.

The only path to a stable, democratic and prosperous South Sudan is through an inclusive national dialogue that honors the human rights of all South Sudanese people. Peaceful dialogue and political accommodation should begin now across all 10 states so that ethnic, religious and other divisions; long standing grievances, and new wounds can be healed as tolerance and an embrace of diversity become the way forward.

The challenges are real, but they can be overcome. I believe, as my father did, that the time is always ripe to do right. I pray that God will touch those who are making war and bring some comfort to those who are suffering only because of who they are. Love must have the last word. I am confident that peace will ultimately prevail and lead the peoples of South Sudan to the democratic and prosperous Promised Land that they have struggled for over the years and rightly deserve.”

Download the statement»

Published April 25, 2014

Martin Luther King III Appeals for Non-violent Resolution to the South Sudan Crisis

dleonard — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:59:08 +0000

Author:

Martin Luther King, III

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

04/25/2014

Resource Type:

Statement

Language:

English

On April 25, 2014, Mr. Martin Luther King, III joined with the United Nations, the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union, governments and other international organizations, including the National Democratic Institute (NDI), to call for an immediate end to the conflict in South Sudan. King appealed to all political leaders, civil society organizations, community and religious leaders and the people of South Sudan, to actively seek and support a non-violent resolution to the present crisis. His message supports those in South Sudan, particularly the South Sudan Council of Churches and the South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSuNDE), who are advocating for an inclusive and sustainable peace.

See the full transcript below.

“Hello, I’m Martin Luther King, III, the eldest son of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.

English

Attachment	Size
Download the statement.	80.59 KB

SSuNDE Calls on the Government to Pay Attention to Humanitarian Needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within UNMISS Bases, Outside and Across the Country

dleonard — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:20:31 +0000

Author:

South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

04/22/2014

Resource Type:

Press Statement

Language:

English

It is our hope that the security of the IDPs is at the top of the agenda of both the government and rebel forces to ensure that humanitarian agencies are able to provide assistance without any obstruction or fear for their safety. The onset of the rainy season remains our major concern because it threatens the lives of IDPs. The first heavy rainfall resulted in flooding and the collapse of temporary shelters of IDPs at many camps across the nation. Such dire conditions resulted in outbreaks of water borne diseases such cholera, acute watery diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and malaria.

Overcrowding due to inadequate space for settlement resulted in critical risks to the health and welfare of IDPs settling in those areas due to the limited space to put up tents for shelter, sanitation facilities and latrines. Additionally, the lack of proper space to set up emergency learning spaces negatively impacts the education of school children at all levels who in the short run will be prevented from progressing to the next level. The poor roads will soon become impassable because of rainfall, which will create acute food and health shortages for IDPs in remote areas who will need assistance in some a few months to come.

We urge the South Sudan government to identify new sites for IDPs who took refuge within UNMISS bases across the country to reduce the overcrowding and congestion in those dense, limited spaces to enable IDPs to access better land for proper settlement. The recent initiative of UNMISS and international Organization of Migration (IOM) to relocate IDPs from Tongping to Jebel Way Station in Juba is welcome, and can serve as a model that can be applied to IDPs in other states after each state government allocates enough land for them.

We also express our appreciation for the tireless efforts of UN agencies and international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) to provide assistance to most South Sudanese who were displaced by conflict in various locations. We equally urge international humanitarian agencies to team up with South Sudan’s community based organizations (CBOs) or civil society organizations (CSOs) to continue providing health and hygiene promotion awareness, including household visits, clean and safe drinking water, adequate shelters, latrines and to set up emergency learning spaces for children. Humanitarian agencies should use airlifts and airdrops as alternative means to help those in hard to reach locations.

We condemned the IDPs attack at UNMISS compound in Bor Jonglei state by the notorious youth groups and urge the government of South Sudan to bring the culprits to book, we call upon the citizens of South Sudan to stop violent ways of solving conflict and always seek a peaceful means of addressing grievances for better and united South Sudanese people.

We pay tribute to the consistent mediation efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Special Envoys, the Africa Union, the United Nations, the Troika Group, and the European Union for their support of peace negotiations; without them the negotiations would not have been possible.

The South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections is the largest and most vibrant civil society network in South Sudan with over 75 civil society organizations as members. Formed in April 2009 and registered with the Ministry of Justice, SSuNDE became a national coalition with activities all over the 10 states of South Sudan through its network of CSO member organizations in each state.

English

Attachment	Size
Download the release.	416.4 KB

Empowering Women for Stronger Political Parties: A Good Practices Guide to Promote Women's Political Participation (Now available in Burmese)

fstovall — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 14:31:07 +0000

Author:

Julie Ballington

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute United Nations Development Programme

Published Date:

10/31/2011

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

Arabic, Burmese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Urdu

English

Arabic

French

Spanish

Russian

Urdu

Attachment	Size
Read the manual (English)	2.49 MB
Read the manual with case studies (English)	3.45 MB
Read the manual (Arabic)	1.9 MB
Download the poster (Arabic)	1.18 MB
Read the manual (Burmese)	4.59 MB
Read the manual (French)	2.57 MB
Download the poster (French)	670.54 KB
Read the manual (Russian)	2.82 MB
Download the poster (Russian)	256.16 KB
Read the manual (Spanish)	2.59 MB
Download the poster (Spanish)	680.95 KB
Read the manual (Urdu)	3.74 MB
Read the manual with case studies (Albanian)	10.91 MB

Equal Access: How to Include Persons with Disabilities in Elections and Political Processes

dleonard — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:59:44 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

03/06/2014

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

Arabic, English, French, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish, Uzbek

English

Arabic

Spanish

Russian

Attachment	Size
Download the manual in Arabic	2.54 MB
Download the manual in English	3.24 MB
Download the manual in French	2.36 MB
Download the manual in Indonesian	16.34 MB
Download the manual in Russian	2.37 MB
Download the manual in Spanish	16.87 MB
Download the manual in Uzbek	3.85 MB

SSuNDE Urges South Sudan's Warring Parties to Provide Peaceful Atmosphere for Negotiation

dleonard — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 20:22:03 +0000

Author:

South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

02/25/2014

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Download the release.	428.54 KB

SSuNDE Welcomes the Signing of Cessation of Hostilities

fstovall — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:01:42 +0000

The South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSuNDE) "commends the signatories for signing the cessation of hostilities" in South Sudan, in a Jan. 27 statement. SSuNDE, a nonpartisan civil society group and NDI partner, urges the signatories to "commit themselves to the signed peace agreement without violation, find a pathway for the remaining outstanding issues to be discussed, and build confidence in the mediating team."

See the full statement or read below.

Monday, 27 January 2014, Juba – The South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSuNDE) strongly appreciates the effort of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), supported by the African Union (AU), for having endlessly and humanely committed itself to standing with the people of South Sudan to see to it that peace continues to prevail in this new nation without the use of arms.

SSuNDE commends the signatories for signing the cessation of hostilities and remains hopeful that this will end the violence that has lasted for more than one month, which has created massive loss of lives and property, and vast displacement of citizens within and outside the country.

SSuNDE urges the signatories to commit themselves to the signed peace agreement without violation, find a pathway for the remaining outstanding issues to be discussed, and build confidence in the mediating team and likewise other international communities that are supporting the peace process.

We equally call upon the international and national communities to support IGAD in setting up a strong body that will monitor implementation of this Agreement, such as the AU, the European Union(EU), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United States of America (USA); as well as civil society organizations, community leaders and religious leaders in South Sudan.

We urge all sides to allow the humanitarian aid workers to execute their duties without interference. Experience has shown that the support of the international community and humanitarian aid workers has been very instrumental, especially that of UNMISS. Without its support a massacre would have taken place in South Sudan.

Dialogue should begin among the South Sudanese across the 10 states involving community leaders, religious leaders and, especially, civil society organizations (CSOs) representing every sector. The CSOs should take the lead with support from the international community. The dialogue will provide a peaceful environment that is tolerant of diversity.

SSuNDE calls upon all the media houses both national and international to exercise professionalism when sending messages at this critical moment so that peace will be forged easily among South Sudanese.

We urge the parties that signed the cessation of hostilities agreement to remain committed to the negotiation on the remaining outstanding issues as scheduled by IGAD.

The South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections is the largest and most vibrant civil society network in South Sudan with over 75 civil society organizations as members (CSOs). Formed in April 2009 and registered with the Ministry of Justice, SSuNDE became a national coalition with activities all over the 10 states of South Sudan through its network of CSO member organizations in each state.

Published Jan. 27, 2014

SSuNDE Welcomes the Signing of Cessation of Hostilities

dleonard — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

01/27/2014

Resource Type:

Press Statement

Language:

English

We urge the parties that signed the cessation of hostilities agreement to remain committed to the negotiation on the remaining outstanding issues as scheduled by IGAD.

Download the statement»

English

Keith Jennings' Al Jazeera interview on South Sudan

dleonard — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:26:53 +0000

Source:

Al Jazeera English

Article Link:

Published Date:

12/31/2013

In an interview with Al Jazeera English, Dr. Keith Jennings, NDI regional director for Southern and East Africa programs, discusses developments in South Sudan and prospects for the peace process.

"We all have to be hopeful because the violence is a threat to the foundations of democracy in Africa's newest country," said Jennings.

Watch the full clip here.

NDI Calls for an End to Violence and Inclusive National Dialogue in South Sudan

dleonard — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:03:37 +0000

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) expressed deep concern today about the violence in South Sudan and the reports of increasing casualties. It joined other international organizations, regional bodies and governments in calling for a cessation of the conflict.

"The continuing violence represents a direct threat to the foundation of democracy in South Sudan,” said NDI President Kenneth Wollack. “Dialogue, inclusive governance and peaceful competition at the ballot box are the best ways to promote and protect the democratic process in Africa's newest country."

NDI called for a national dialogue as a means to seek a peaceful and democratic solution to the current crisis.

Public opinion research conducted by NDI, which has worked in South Sudan since 2004, shows that South Sudanese citizens have a strong commitment to democracy and democratic principles. In research over the last nine years, citizens have spoken repeatedly of democracy as the best system of governance for South Sudan and stressed the importance of equal rights and basic freedoms of movement, expression and religion as the most effective way to unite South Sudan and reduce conflict.

Download the statement»

Published Dec. 20, 2013

NDI Calls for an End to Violence and Inclusive National Dialogue in South Sudan

dleonard — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:02:33 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/20/2013

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

WASHINGTON—The National Democratic Institute (NDI) expressed deep concern today about the violence in South Sudan and the reports of increasing casualties. It joined other international organizations, regional bodies and governments in calling for a cessation of the conflict.

NDI called for a national dialogue as a means to seek a peaceful and democratic solution to the current crisis.

English

Attachment	Size
Download the release.	97.38 KB

Implementing and Overseeing Electronic Voting and Counting Technologies

pbrondyke — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 16:40:37 +0000

Author:

Ben Goldsmith and Holly Ruthrauff

Publisher:

NDI/IFES

Published Date:

12/17/2013

Resource Type:

Manual

Language:

English

This new manual published jointly by NDI and IFES addresses a variety of challenges, opportunities and risks related to casting and counting ballots electronically.

Media Type:

PDF

This new manual published jointly by NDI and IFES addresses the challenges, opportunities and risks to adopting and monitoring electronic voting and counting technologies. The manual is designed as a resource for democracy and governance specialists, election management bodies, election observers and political parties. It offers 25 country examples, including three in-depth case studies on Brazil, the Netherlands and the Philippines, highlighting lessons learned with these technologies, as well as practical nearly 20 checklists of key considerations.

The guide can be download in full or in parts here. You can also access an electronic version of the guide for quick topic navigation and sharing.

English

Attachment	Size
Download the full manual	2.84 MB
Section 1: Overview of Electronic Voting and Counting Technologies	1.03 MB
Section 2.1: Making a Decision on E-voting or E-counting	381.88 KB
Section 2.2: Building the System for E-voting or E-counting	458.02 KB
Section 2.3: Implementing Electronic Voting or Electronic Counting in an Election	441.06 KB
Section 3: Concluding Remarks	211.86 KB
Section 4: Case Study Report on Brazil Electronic Voting, 1996 to Present	297.02 KB
Section 5: Case Study Report on Electronic Voting in the Netherlands	265.63 KB
Section 6: Case Study Report on the Philippines 2010 Elections	339.58 KB
Section 7: Resources on E-voting and E-counting	211.18 KB
Section 8: All Key Considerations	351.38 KB
Section 9: Key Considerations On Implementing E-Voting and Counting	318.16 KB
Section 10: Key Considerations On Overseeing E-Voting and Counting	404.75 KB