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Key Sudan census gets under way Key Sudan census gets under way
(about 4 hours later)
A national census, which was a vital step in the ending of years of civil war in Sudan, has begun.A national census, which was a vital step in the ending of years of civil war in Sudan, has begun.
It will help determine the way power and wealth is shared between Sudan's north and the oil-rich south ahead of next year's national polls.It will help determine the way power and wealth is shared between Sudan's north and the oil-rich south ahead of next year's national polls.
The census was a key part of the peace deal signed in 2003, but the South says it will not be bound by the outcome. The census was a key part of the peace deal signed in 2005, but the South says it will not be bound by the outcome.
In the troubled western Darfur region, many are refusing to take part in the count and rebel groups are opposing it.In the troubled western Darfur region, many are refusing to take part in the count and rebel groups are opposing it.
I am extremely happy to be back in my village. It looks the same as when I last saw it. It's a day that I have dreamt of for many years Ille MarySudanese refugee Sudanese stand up to be counted I am extremely happy to be back in my village. It looks the same as when I last saw it. It's a day that I have dreamt of for many years Ille MarySudanese refugee Sudanese stand up to be counted
From the outset, the census has shown the ongoing distrust between the two former enemies from north and south, who are now joined in a national coalition government, supposedly as partners in peace, says the BBC's Amber Henshaw in Khartoum.From the outset, the census has shown the ongoing distrust between the two former enemies from north and south, who are now joined in a national coalition government, supposedly as partners in peace, says the BBC's Amber Henshaw in Khartoum.
It has not helped that much of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is still to be implemented - like demarcating the exact border between north and south and the status of the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei.It has not helped that much of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is still to be implemented - like demarcating the exact border between north and south and the status of the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei.
The south threatened to postpone the census until the end of the year, concerned that many southerners had not managed to get home in time - claiming this may skew the results.The south threatened to postpone the census until the end of the year, concerned that many southerners had not managed to get home in time - claiming this may skew the results.
After huge international pressure, they agreed it could go ahead, but said they would not be bound by the outcome which many fear could lead to fresh disputes down the line.After huge international pressure, they agreed it could go ahead, but said they would not be bound by the outcome which many fear could lead to fresh disputes down the line.
Darfur thornDarfur thorn
In the war-torn west of the country, Darfur's rebel groups are united in opposition against the census.In the war-torn west of the country, Darfur's rebel groups are united in opposition against the census.
The chairman of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement and commander in chief of the Sudan Liberation Army in Darfur, Ahmed Abdelshafi Toba, has warned they will try to stop the count going ahead.The chairman of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement and commander in chief of the Sudan Liberation Army in Darfur, Ahmed Abdelshafi Toba, has warned they will try to stop the count going ahead.
"In the first place we don't have that national say [consensus] to have a national census. Secondly, a census requires peace in the country and we don't have that peace in the country; the country is still at war," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme."In the first place we don't have that national say [consensus] to have a national census. Secondly, a census requires peace in the country and we don't have that peace in the country; the country is still at war," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"And the third thing also the census requires relative stability, and Sudan as a country has witnessed so many internal mass migrations from the rural sites to the centre."And the third thing also the census requires relative stability, and Sudan as a country has witnessed so many internal mass migrations from the rural sites to the centre.
"And third point also is that the census requires raising awareness for a sufficient time before holding such a process."And third point also is that the census requires raising awareness for a sufficient time before holding such a process.
In addition to the political problems, the census planners have also been faced with huge logistical challenges.In addition to the political problems, the census planners have also been faced with huge logistical challenges.
Mapping Africa's largest country has been difficult - large areas are inaccessible in Darfur because of continuing fighting and in the south because of landmines, our correspondent adds.Mapping Africa's largest country has been difficult - large areas are inaccessible in Darfur because of continuing fighting and in the south because of landmines, our correspondent adds.