South Sudan ‘independence’ referendum kicks off
By John Stephen Katende
10th January 2011
Judgment Day: Voters line up to vote in Juba
The people of Sudan have embarked on a week-long referendum vote process that many analysts believe is likely to result in independence for Southern Sudan; thus splitting Africa’s biggest country in two.
Voting kicked off on Sunday 9th January. Early reports from Juba, the likely capital of an independent South Sudan, indicate that the turnout has been good. Thousands have been lining up for hours to be among the first to vote on their region’s independence.
Amid scenes of jubilation that greeted the start of the referendum, Southern Sudanese leader Salva Kiir said, “…this is an historic moment the people of Southern Sudan have been waiting for…..there is no substitute to a peaceful co-existence between northern and southern Sudan”, Mr. Kiir added.
Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir however warned that South Sudan would face instability in the wake of independence. “…The south suffers from many problems. It’s been at war since 1959. The south does not have the ability to provide for its citizens or create a state or authority”, Bashir said.
He however promised that he would welcome the result of the upcoming referendum, whatever it may be. In a joint statement, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Støre, and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the referendum.
“…We welcome the start of polling today for the Southern Sudan Referendum. This represents a historic step towards completion of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We recognise the significant progress which has been made in recent weeks towards preparing for the referendum, including the successful completion of voter registration and other technical arrangements”, the statement read in part.
The Western diplomats also called for “…all efforts to ensure peaceful and credible completion of the referendum process in a manner which reflects the will of the people of South Sudan. The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau have made enormous efforts under significant pressure and deserve to be commended for their work”.
The diplomats however expressed concern over the boiling situation in the oil rich Abyei region of Sudan. “…The situation in Abyei remains of deep concern. We commend the people of Abyei for their patience in recent months. The outstanding issues must be resolved in a calm and measured manner and we emphasise again to both parties their responsibilities to urgently resolve the impasse”.
On Saturday, at least 25 people were killed and many more injured in clashes between fighters from two rival tribes in the Abyei region of southern Sudan ahead of the independence historic referendum. The Sudanese have a week, starting from Sunday 9th January to cast their votes on the future of the region. Final results of the referendum are due on February 6th.
During the week, the Sudanese people will vote on the future of the contested oil-rich Abyei region and decide whether the region should link up with the north or south in the event that the Sudan splits into two. Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
