Day 1, Sudanese Elections VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE

There is much at stake, not only for the Sudanese government that risks deserved world pressure for its human rights abuses but also the Sudanese themselves that have lost tremendously.

U.S. Envoy Scott Gration and the man America is making deals with; genocidal Sudanese Dictator Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir

(KHARTOUM / PORTLAND) - Chaos, manipulation and disgrace by both US politics and the Sudanese Government; is the on-ground feeling for many in Sudan and around the world.

22 years of war and killing in South Sudan and 8 years plague Darfur; displacing, confiscating, raping and burning villages. Still, President Obama’s Sudan envoy, Scott Gration has blessed the elections as fair and clean.

A source who preferred to simply use the initials MA, said, "Where is the democracy and all those staff, or is it based on interests? Please Washington DC, do something different this time and not based on interests just for the sake of those kids, women and elders who are suffering in the refugee camps."

Polls opened in many parts of Sudan today, amid anxious voters and activists; already plagued by fraud and a great deal of manipulation leading up to these elections. On ground observers validate the dangers, difficulties and stacking of ballots during day one of the elections in many parts of Sudan.

i On Sudan has responded with great speed, compassion and a platform for those on ground to have a voice and allow the world to see and hear. i On Sudan connects on-the-ground reports of violence, abuses, and other events to advocacy in the United States and around the world to immediately mobilize leaders towards immediate response on behalf of innocent civilians and to promote peace, protection, and justice in all of Sudan.

There is much at stake, not only for the Sudanese government that risks deserved world pressure for its human rights abuses but also the Sudanese themselves that have lost tremendously; lives, homes, a free and fair future.

Although each individual report coming in from citizen reporters cannot be verified, the volume and multiple sources, including from respected news organizations, point to major problems and concerns," Gabriel Stauring with i On Sudan said.

Reports below come from journalists, on ground citizen reporters, and many Sudanese worldwide watching these elections closely.

• Heavy presence of armed forces and security in uniform and plain clothes.
• Noted absence of voters from Darfur, South, and Nuba Mountain.
• National EC monitor encouraging women to vote for the tree symbol (Al Bashir).
• Ballot boxes arrive to Port Sudan and East Sudan with ballots already inside.
• South Darfur, White Nile poll centers never opened.
• White Nile suspends voting, ballots have repeated symbols; tree (Al Bashir).
• Only 30 of 42 polling centers opened.
• Many centers in Khartoum, Central Sudan, Kordofan, Darfur, Northern State, White Nile did not open until 12:00 (noon) four hours late.
• Voter ink was not permanent, could be washed off – this leads to repeated voting

Amid the confusion and chaos, there was peace today in many parts of Sudan that have seen constant violence. Many international eyes watching are helping to enforce what should have been a democratic process.

Unfortunately, the United States is asking the Sudanese to continue to believe in this erroneous voting process. The above reports undermine the very principles that would allow the people of Sudan to celebrate what could be their freedom. Instead, U.S. politics are enabling and consenting to a genocidal regime to gain control for another five years.

MW said, "Nothing (is) in our hands. Just Al Bashir and his people doing whatever in their mind and applying to the innocent people, killing some, arresting some, .......... Etc. He is the only judge in this universe. Very shame(ful) for the international community up to now he hasn't faced justice, and taking people for the election like animals to their fold. We are going to suffer any way."

Learn more by visiting: ionsudan.net

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Alysha Atma spends many hours working on projects that support and benefit the belegured people of African nations who spend way too much time off the western media radar. This writer explains that she is a culmination of all her experiences, most importantly knowledge she says, and all that she still needs to learn; lessons of love, laughter and the extraordinary giving of both young and old. She says she has the enormous fortune of learning from the best; every person around her, and the amazing strength and fortitude of those she has never met but will always strive to listen to. "I continue to work and write because I believe in the power of community and the power of one, both contradictory to each other and yet can move together in a very powerful way. I feel a responsibility to use my place, freedoms and connections here in the US to stand up and yell for those who need my voice and actions. I have seen such strength in my fellow humans that I cannot even begin to comprehend, they have traveled distances, have gone without food, water, shelter and safety for days and weeks at a time. I have a responsibility as a fellow human to put our common humanity before anything else. Everyone deserves to look towards tomorrow, to dream of a safe future and to have a peaceful present." You can write to Alysha Atma at: alyshann78@comcast.net