webmaster
© Copyright DEHAI-Eritrea OnLine, 1993-2010
All rights reserved
From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Fri Aug 20 2010 - 16:11:45 EDT
Sudan warns against south independence declaration
Sudan: southerners would commit 'suicide' if they declare independence
without referendum.
2010-08-20
KHARTOUM - Sudan's ruling National Congress Party said on Thursday its
southern partners in government would commit "suicide" if they declared an
independent state without a referendum.
The southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement threatened to opt for
"alternative options" if a January referendum is delayed. A commission
tasked with organising the referendum has not yet started work because of
disagreements.
The NCP's deputy leader Nafie Ali Nafie told reporters that the SPLM wanted
to divide Sudan, adding "if the movement decided on declaring south Sudan's
independence by a parliamentary vote without a referendum it would be
committing political suicide."
He insisted the NCP wanted to hold the referendum on schedule and resolve
problems that could delay it.
The referendum was a key part of a 2005 peace agreement that ended more than
20 years of fighting between the north and the south.
The commission that is responsible for organising the referendum, which
analysts say is likely to result in a win for the secessionists, has yet to
appoint a secretary general to conduct its work.
On Wednesday, US envoy to Sudan Scott Gration arrived for talks, in an
effort to address concerns over the schedule of the vote.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----