* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The ongoing elections in South Sudan are the first democratic elections since 1986, and were part of the peace agreement reached between North and South Sudan in 2005.
- It is encouraging to see the support for the elections in South Sudan. However, it is too early to predict whether this will lead to the partitioning of Africa's largest country and to independence and progress in South Sudan. The longstanding conflict has created very difficult living conditions for millions of people in Sudan and in the areas hosting refugees from there. Therefore, there have been comprehensive needs for relief and assistance to internally displaced persons in the country and to refugees in the region, says Ann Mary Olsen, head of the international department of the Danish Refugee Council.
The Danish Refugee Council has been present in the region for many years and has worked in support of the Sudanese refugees in Uganda since 1999. The operations were expanded to cover South Sudan after the peace agreement in 2005 made it possible for refugees and internally displaced persons to return home. Relief efforts have focused on ensuring physical and organisational assistance to support the return of refugees and internally displaced and to find lasting solutions to their situation.
- South Sudan is covered by fertile land and has great resources, but suffers from the fact that hardly any development has taken place over decades compared to North Sudan. There is poor infrastructure, lack of access to medical care, education, and work. And there is widespread need to work to ensure protection and various forms of legal assistance, says Ann Mary Olsen, who is frequently visiting areas of operation in South Sudan.
The Danish Refugee Council in cooperation with local communities is further working to develop lasting solutions that will improve livelihoods and living conditions. A large number of farmer associations and agricultural schools have been established in recent years and have created new income opportunities for families who can now cultivate their land and increase food security in several districts in South Sudan.
Around 3.8 million voters are registered for the elections in South Sudan. For the result to be valid, at least 60 percent of the registered voters should cast their ballots. A final outcome of the elections is expected four weeks after the elections have finished.
