Hopes to take another step forward to strengthen the peace process and the political normalization of Sudan have faded as the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, the main political party in South Sudan, has boycotted next presidential elections. According to SPLM its withdrawal comes as a result of irregularities committed by the governmental party before the elections starting next Sunday.

The SPLM decided it will not run for the elections in 13 northern states nor run a candidate for presidency. The decision has been made on grounds the president of the republic, Omar al-Bashir (National Congress Party, NCP), has fixed the electoral register.

The country is holding the first election ever since 1986 from Sunday on, which will include presidential, legislative and local polls. They are considered to be particularly critical since they are going to be held amidst the fragile peace process signed in 2005. The agreement led the southern pro-independence leader Salva Kiir to the country's vice-presidency and established the holding of an independence referendum in South Sudan by 2011.

SPLM's decision of boycotting the polls could aggravate the political scenario if al-Bashir resolved to block a plebiscite which was one of the key accords included in the 2005 peace agreement.

Further information:

• Reuters: South Sudan party to boycott elections in north
• SAPA: Sudan vote credibility queried
• MónDivers: Boicot sudista als comicis sudanesos, Al-Baixir amenaça el referèndum