Southern Sudan ‘will not rush to change name’

Southern Sudan will retain its name until its citizens choose a new one.

Head of Mission to Kenya Michael Majok said citizens will decide whether to retain the old name or come up with a new one.

He said the legislative organs selected by the people would choose a new name if it was decided to rename.

“We still have six months before we become independent. We will remain Southern Sudan until July 9 as we are still part of Sudan,” he said.

He, however, said Juba could cease being the country’s capital due to complaints from other states that it was remote.

“The technical committee is studying the viability of Juba remaining the capital,” Mr Majok said in Nairobi.

Mr Majok also announced that a government of all political parties will be formed in July and after 18 months, the country will go to the polls to elect the ruling party.

“We have been fighting for over 30 years. We have no infrastructure and we need investors to develop,” he said.

Mr Majok said secession will minimise the differences and increase harmony between the north and south.

A total of 98.83 per cent of voters in Sudan’s oil-producing south chose to secede from the north in last month’s referendum.

The South Sudan Referendum Commission announced the results on Monday.

The two regions have been fighting for decades, with the first war in 1955 lasting 17 years. The second broke out in 1983 and lasted 21 years.