Last week, citizens of Sudan voted in the first multi-party election in nearly 25 years ... and international observers were jubilant that democracy had finally come to this part of East Africa. Now -- any praise may seem a bit premature. A report by the Carter Center -- as well as official comments by the U.S., Great Britain and Norway -- note that “Sudan's first multiparty elections in more than two decades fell short of international standards.”

“We note initial assessments of the electoral process from independent observers, including the judgment that the elections failed to meet international standards,” a joint statement from the three nations. “We are reassured that voting passed reasonably peacefully, reportedly with significant participation,” the statement continued, “but share ... serious concerns about weak logistical and technical preparations and reported irregularities in many parts of Sudan.”

The European Union Election Observation Mission also criticized the election for showing “significant deficiencies against international standards” but said the vote paves the way for democratic progress.

The election was a key part of a 2005 peace deal, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, that helped end decades of civil war between the country's north and south. The conflict pitted Christian and Animist southerners against Muslim northerners, leaving more than two million people dead. The peace deal also called for a referendum next year to determine whether the south should become an independent nation.

Let us continue to pray for the people of Sudan and all that the future holds for them!