Election

In mid April, Sudan will have it's first open election in many years. Some of you may have read on the news that there is speculation there will be fighting in South Sudan due to the election. It's really confusing, but I think this is the situation:

The North and South signed a peace treaty in 2005. The North is Muslim controlled.

In 2011, they are supposed to be two separate countries.

There is a president of North Sudan and a president of South Sudan. Even though they act as two separate countries, the president of North Sudan is technically president over all of Sudan.

In April, South Sudan will be voting for a new president. It is really important that someone is elected is from the South, not someone who supports the North. If someone who supports the North is elected, when the country separates in 2011, the South will end up being ruled by someone who is Muslim and who supports the North. Then they are in the same situation they were before the war ended.

Because this is the first election, no one knows what will happen. Many people are expecting violence; especially if a supporter of the North is elected. However, no one really knows what actually will happen. There could be no problems or there could be major problems.

Many aid organizations are evacuating their workers in Southern Sudan ahead of the election just to be safe. Sabet and Suzy are faced with the same dilemma. If they stay for the elections and trouble erupts, there may be no way to get out. If they fly out ahead of time just to be cautious and nothing happens, a lot of money was spent for nothing. Sabet is keeping track of what is going on. Tonj is not a big city and there are not a lot of Muslims, so we may be ok. However, when you are responsible for other people, it's hard to say, lets just see what happens. So, we may be flying out in early April and wait out the elections in Nairobi.

Please pray that the elections will be peaceful and that Sabet and Suzy have wisdom as they make this tough call. Whatever happens, we know that God is sovereign and in complete control. We put the compound and all it's workers in His mighty hands.