Sudan: strengthening political parties to strengthen democracy

Poll watching training workshop (March 2010).
Photo ©: International IDEA

The need to build properly functioning political parties in Sudan has been a major priority for International IDEA and its partners since becoming involved there in 2006. Initial training for parties focused on electoral processes, internal democracy and gender equality. Then in 2008, International IDEA and UNDP entered into a cooperation agreement for a project titled “Sudan Political Parties Development” (to be run by IDEA) which aims to build the capacity of 24 Sudanese political parties through systematic training programme over 18 months. Some 1074 individuals benefited from the training between May 2009 and March 2010.

The objective of the programme is to strengthen the role of political parties in Sudan as effective actors of democratization and good governance, trusted by voters, representative and responsive to public needs and concerns. They should also contribute to public debate, and be equipped to be in government or become a constructive opposition - thus playing an effective and representative role in the elections agreed in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

A degree of progress was detected in the 2010 multi-party elections. Even though the credibility of the poll itself was disputed, it was clear that political parties recognized their deficiencies and put aside their differences to participate in the project and acquire the skills and knowledge they needed to take part in the election.

Female candidates training workshop (February 2010).
Photo ©: International IDEA

The training programme, which was implemented together with EISA, the Canadian Parliamentary Centre and Partners in Development Services, addressed a number of core issues including political party systems; the external regulatory framework; internal democracy and inter-party relations; funding; policy and manifesto development; electoral campaigning and political parties and media.

An important focus was working with 240 women candidates and coaching them on how to present themselves to the electorate plus policy issues such as housing, health, gender, education and security. By coming together in such a way, these women built a valuable network of common interests for themselves, regardless of their political affiliation. Although the 2010 elections failed to elect the desired number of women representatives, gender equality and the role of women in political parties are now firmly on the agenda.

One of the most important achievements of the Sudan project has been the establishment of the Political Parties Coordination Committee comprising the 24 political parties to liaise with IDEA about project contents and priorities. Currently, IDEA in collaboration with the Coordination Committee, is organizing workshops in Khartoum to cover election observation, the role of party agents, polling and appropriate codes of conduct. Around 450 party members will benefit from this round of training.

By bringing the different parties together under the auspices of this project, competing forces have been obliged to work together. This interaction has produced greater respect and changing attitudes towards each other. This is certainly a step in the right direction and a significant advance on where IDEA started back in 2006.