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Kenya PM warns UN, AU over Sudan referendum
South Sudan President Salva Kiir (left) at a meeting with Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Kenya is mobilising international support to avert political violence in Sudan through next year’s referendum on independence for the South. File
Posted Wednesday, February 3 2010 at 12:46
In Summary
- Kenya denies that it was assisting the government of Southern Sudan to re-arm
- Raila Odinga warned of a return to war if the Southerners are denied the freewill to determine their future.
The permanent court of arbitration in The Hague in July ruled to split Abyei province but left control of the Heglig oil field with the national Government in Khartoum.
“At this delicate moment when so many issues need to be sensitively addressed in Sudan, I believe it is incumbent on all of us to assist the Sudanese to freely exercise the right to choose their future peacefully,” Mr Odinga said.
Kenya, the PM said, was committed to respect the outcome of a free and fair referendum, as he once again denied that the government was re-arming GOSS.
Mr Odinga termed allegations that Kenyan tanks have been spotted in the GOSS military headquarters as unfounded claims.
“There is no truth in the allegations. We issued a comprehensive statement in regard to he matter and any other claim is unfounded.”
Apart from the referendum, Sudan is also preparing to go into General Election this year after many decades.
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