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| Africa Horn |
| Sudan's split won't lead to war: Machar |
| 2011-01-09 |
| [Arab News] Riek Machar, vice president of the government of Southern Sudan confirmed Saturday that the people of southern Sudan will vote for secession from the north in a referendum scheduled to take place Sunday. Machar, who is also vice president of Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), the ruling party in southern Sudan, ruled out an outbreak of civil war in the event voters in the south win the referendum to split from the north. In an interview with Arab News, he blamed some quarters in the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of pushing southerners to vote for secession. He denied the United States or the West are pushing southern Sudan to split. Machar expressed confidence that outstanding issues between the north and the south, such as the border demarcation and dispute over the oil-rich Abyei area, would be solved peacefully. He said that over 60 percent of border issues have been solved and the remainder will be dealt with after the referendum. Abyei, now in the state of West Kordofan, which covers an area 10,460 sq km, was granted special administrative status by the 2004 protocol that ended the civil war. The area, inhabited by southern Negok Dinak and northern Missiriya tribes, is considered a historical bridge between the northern and southern parts of Sudan. Machar expressed hope that the north would extend a hand to the new state to enable it stand on its feet and build its institutions. He pointed out that maintaining good relations based on joint interests would benefit both sides. He said relations between the people in the south and those in the north are deep-rooted and play a crucial role in having the two sides maintain good, friendly and cooperative relations. He pointed out that among the key challenges facing the new state is the provision of basic health and education services as well as building infrastructure, adding that oil revenues, which would be owned by the south, would help greatly in this process. Machar promised to honor agreements signed with Chinese, Malaysian and other oil companies working in oilfields in the south. He did not rule out the establishment of diplomatic ties between the new state and Israel. He said he objects to the label in the Sudanese passport that states that the holder is allowed to travel to all countries except Israel. Machar said good relations with Israel could help the new state play a role in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict. However, The infamous However... he denied any existing relationship with Israel and noted that there are no direct flights between Israel and southern Sudan. "In the future nothing forbids us having such flights, though." On the eve of the voting, two rebel groups clashed with southern Sudan's military, resulting in at least nine deaths. The attacks against the SPLA happened late Friday and Saturday. "Why is it happening now? The intention or the motive behind must be undermining the referendum," said Gen. Acuil Tito Madut, the inspector general of the south's police. "Once these fights break out in these states that will mean some people will not vote and once people don't vote that means the required percentage is not achieved." In order for the referendum to pass, a simple majority must vote for independence and 60 percent of the 3.9 million registered voters must cast ballots. |
| Posted by:Fred |