Khartoum (UNA-OIC) – Following the 2020 request made to the UN Secretary-General by the Transitional Government of Sudan for support in the holding of elections, and as encapsulated in Security Council Resolution 2524, a United Nations Electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) visited Sudan from 5 to 23 April 2021.
According to a statement carried by Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the purpose of the NAM to Sudan was to better understand the Sudanese context, including the legal and institutional frameworks and capacity needs of various stakeholders, so as to inform the scope and type of UN technical assistance, which can be provided in due course to Sudan, in support of its nationally owned and led electoral process, as per the Constitutional Declaration.
It stated that the Needs Assessment Missions are conducted as a matter of routine practice in every country in which the UN is requested to provide technical assistance for the holding of elections.
Meetings were held with a wide range of Sudanese interlocutors, including representatives from the national and state authorities, political parties, media, civil society and women groups, as well as members of the donor community and the UN agencies, the NAM statement said.
NAM comprised of representatives from the United Nations Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (UNDPPA) Electoral Division, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), UNDP and other members of the UN family look forward to engaging with the national authorities on the outcomes of the NAM in support of Sudan’s elections, the statement noted.
