President Omar al-Bashir declared winner of Sudan poll
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has been declared the winner of this month's landmark elections, despite facing war crimes charges over Darfur. Former rebel leader Salva Kiir has been confirmed in power in the semi-autonomous south in the first polls since the north-south war ended. The polls were Sudan's first multi-party elections in 24 years. Observers and opposition parties have complained of fraud and - particularly in the south - of intimidation. Sudan's election commission said Mr Bashir had received 68% of the vote. Both President Bashir and his party in the North, and Salva Kiir and the SPLM in the south, have been able to shore up their power bases dramatically. Some of the gloss has undoubtedly been removed by the boycott of several major opposition parties and politicians. But there is no doubt the international community will accept these results - with one eye on next January's crucial referendum on possible southern independence. The reaction of the northern opposition, and of disaffected southerners who ran against the SPLM, is the thing to be watched closely. It also said Mr Kiir, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), had received 93% of the southern vote. The BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum says President Bashir could present his re-election as a popular rebuke for the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Darfur. Sudan's leader strongly denies the charges. His two main challengers withdrew before the elections began, claiming that the process had already been rigged. Our correspondent says these accusations and withdrawals have dented the credibility of the elections. The SPLM joined a national coalition government after a 2005 peace deal but relations between the supposed partners remain tense. A referendum is due in 2011 on whether the south, where most people are Christian or follow traditional religions, should secede from the Arab-dominated mostly-Muslim north. Mr Bashir has said he would respect the outcome of the referendum but some fear conflict could resume, especially in the oil-rich border region. Speaking in a televised address after the poll result was announced, Mr Bashir said: "The referendum in south Sudan will take place on schedule." He described his election win as a victory for "all Sudanese", and played down criticism of the poll, praising "the civilised and respectful conduct during these elections, which saw no clashes or friction". The EU and the Carter Center said the polls were below international standards. But former US President Jimmy Carter said he believed the international community would recognise the winners all the same. Mr Bashir and his National Congress Party were already well ahead in the results already announced from the 11-15 April elections. As well as the national and southern presidential contests, elections were also held for the national, regional and state parliaments and state governors. Tension in Sudan was raised over the weekend, with reports of clashes along the north-south border. Some 55 people were said to have been killed in clashes between an Arab community and southern soldiers. The weekend violence was the most serious since the polls. The clashes reportedly began over grazing rights for cattle - a common source of conflict in the area. But southern government officials say their soldiers were attacked by members of the northern army - charges denied in Khartoum.
