South Sudan UDI can be “uncomfortable” option – Machar

July 23, 2010 (JUBA) — The second powerful leader in the regional government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) has said that any Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) by the South can invite “uncomfortable” situation in the region.

The Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Riek Machar, however told the region’s parliamentarians that such an option could only occur if it had to be forced on the people of Southern Sudan and their semi-autonomous government.

Machar made the remarks in his response to a question posed to him in the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly during his presentation to the parliament on the work of the referendum Taskforce, which he chairs.

He was asked whether the South would unilaterally declare independence if Khartoum would not allow for the timely or free and fair conduct of the plebiscite in the region.

Machar told the lawmakers that UDI would not be a preferred option unless the South had to be forced to such a situation where unilateral declaration of independence would remain the only option.

He further explained that the best option is to conduct the referendum, as stipulated in the 2005 North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), where it will be the people to decide if they want independence.

He told MP’s that unless they did not trust the would-be decision or choice of the people they represented in their various constituencies, the preparations for and outcome of the referendum was what the people should be focusing on and looking forward to.

The Vice President also warned that a UDI option could attract a military situation which may invite intervention in both North and South by forces from foreign countries.

Machar, however, in a separate occasion earlier said that if the South was convinced that Khartoum was deliberately obstructing the conduct of the referendum, the members of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly would, on behalf of the people they represent, decide the future of the region.

He also said it was a debatable option whether or not the decision of the elected parliament would also be equally seen as an action amounting to a UDI, rather than a legitimate decision by the representatives of the people.

He expressed hope that the referendum would take place as scheduled on 9th January in a free and fair manner and that the outcome would be respected by the parties involved.

The people of Southern Sudan shall vote in the upcoming referendum in five months time to either choose to confirm the current unity of Sudan under the CPA arrangements, or opt to establish an independent country which could be the newest nation in the world.

Observers and think-tank groups warned that impeding the referendum could reignite civil war between the North and South. There are many post-referendum arrangements yet to be addressed particularly border demarcation raising fears that the key vote could be delayed.

(ST)