based Al-Yaum said "For the first time in last 25 years, Sudan witnesses general elections." The paper believes that the decision of some Sudanese political parties to boycott the general elections and their accusations that the Sudanese government is attempting to rig the results of the elections, would have a shadow on the current situation in the African country and may have an adverse impact. "These general elections in Sudan comes in line with the peace agreement signed by the North and the South in 2005, following a 22-year destructive war. Moreover, these elections precede the referendum due to be held in 2011 to determine the future of South Sudan whether it will remain united with the North or will establish an independent state," the newspaper said. "The decision of some major Sudanese parties to boycott the elections constituted an advance message to Sudanese President al-Basheer after their failure to reach a compromise with the government, and it may be a way for obtaining certain gains and favors." The daily hoped that the Sudanese people would remain vigilant and work for the higher interests of their country so as avoid the Somalian example where the civil war torn the Horn African country.
