All eyes on Sudan as it prepares for vote on South’s independence

Following the successful conduct of Kenya’s referendum on the constitution and Rwanda’s presidential elections, the region and the world’s focus now shifts to Sudan’s January independence vote.

The road to the crucial referendum has been dogged with accusations and counter accusations between the north and the south over alleged unpreparedness for the poll.

The rivalry exposes the shaky relationship and bitter hatred between the sides brought together by the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005.

And with only 140 days remaining to the referendum, a group pushing for the poll to be held on time has called on the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) to call a special meeting to address alleged plans to delay or scuttle the referendum.

But Saturday, Kenya, which chairs the implementation of the CPA, said there was no cause for alarm as it was certain the polls would be held as scheduled.

“Igad has given a clear direction that was adopted by the African Union that the referendum set for January 9, 2011 in Sudan is part of the benchmark of the CPA with defined and stipulated dates,” Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula said.

In an interview, Mr Wetang’ula said that Igad and AU have instructed Sudan to ensure that the CPA “is implemented to the letter.”

The minister said he would soon lead a special delegation to Sudan to urge the parties to ensure that the referendum is held.

As a country that has been at war for 39 years since attaining independence in 1956, Sudan could be faced with challenges that might impact on the smooth conduct of the referendum.

Mr Wetang’ula advised that since the referendum comes just when Sudan is coming from elections, the voters’ roll should only be updated and the security that was used in April elections beefed up.

The referendum will determine the relationship between the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army and the National Congress Party and that of the north and south Sudan.

The CPA was meant to end the Second Sudanese Civil War, develop democratic governance countrywide and share oil revenues. It further set a timetable by which Southern Sudan would have a referendum on its independence.

A statement from Sudan’s embassy in Nairobi gave President Bashir’s assurance that the referendum “will be held as scheduled and that the government is keen to make all its steps successful.”

President al Bashir made the assurance during a meeting with the UN secretary-general’s representative in Sudan, Mr Haile Menkerios.

Mr Menkerios said the two partners to the CPA were to resolve all the “impediments facing the referendum process and reach solutions that are satisfactory” in two days.

He said that all members of the Referendum Commission would further leave for Juba tomorrow for more consultations and discussions.

“He added that the meetings between the officials and the political class will boost efforts to make the referendum successful,” the statement said.

NCP deputy chairman Nafie Ali Nafie had attracted the wrath of South Sudan officials by stating that the region will be committing political suicide if it declares secession through other means other than the referendum.

The south had said it could opt to use Parliament to agree on secession if the referendum is not held as scheduled.

Dr Nafie said his party will be fully committed to the result of the referendum if southerners choose it.

He said that his party is working for unity compared to SPLM, which he said, is pushing for secession.

The official further reiterated NCP’s commitment to all the clauses of the CPA.

He said his party was contributing to national development in the south although it was the responsibility of SPLM.

In Nairobi, Mr John Andruga Duku, who heads the International Campaign Countdown for Southern Sudan Referendum, warned that any interference with the poll could drag the country back to war.

Mr Duku and official Jervasio Okot accused NCP of being against the southerners pursuit to secede, a thing they had been fighting for since independence.

“Unity for us means continued political, economic and social oppression in addition to slavery,” Mr Duku said.

Another referendum will be held in Abyei on whether it becomes part of Southern Sudan.

Former President Daniel arap Moi is among leaders who have appealed to Sudan not to delay the referendum.

Mr Moi who was appointed by his successor, President Kibaki, as special envoy to Sudan, said on Friday that the northern and southern partners must ensure Africa’s biggest country remained peaceful.