S. Africa’s ANC, SPLM hold ‘vital’ referendum talks
By Julius N. Uma
September 10, 2010 (JUBA) — A high level delegation from South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) on Thursday successfully concluded a two-day consultative meeting on Sudan’s forthcoming referendum.
While briefing journalists at Juba airport, the SPLM Secretary General, Pagan Amum said the consultative talks were “positive”, adding that the quest for Sudan’s unity could only be achieved “voluntarily” and in proper manner.
Those in support of the country’s unity, Amum said, should champion the cause in manner that is in harmony with the interests of all the people of Sudan. According to him, the SPLM briefed the visiting ANC delegation on progress in the referendum preparations, as well as post-referendum arrangements.
“We firmly told them [ANC delegates] that if the self-determination referendum for south Sudan takes place, the majority of the southerners will vote for secession. That was our position as a party,” the SPLM Secretary General said.
Baleka Mbete, the ANC Chairperson lauded the SPLM for its consistent leadership roles, saying all indications were clear that south Sudan political parties appear to be set for secession.
On Wednesday last week, Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary for State described the situation in Sudan ahead of next year’s referendum as a “ticking time-bomb”, urging the international community to redouble their efforts to prevent anticipated violence.
The US, noted Clinton, was working hard with partners to ensure the January referendum is held peacefully, and to prepare for what she said was the “inevitable outcome” of independence of Southern Sudan.
“The situation north/south is a ticking time-bomb of enormous consequence,” Clinton reportedly said while responding to a question after a speech on U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank.
“The time frame is very short. Pulling together this referendum is going to be difficult, we’re going to need a lot of help,” Clinton was quoted as saying, adding that, “But the real problem is what happens when the inevitable happens and the referendum is passed and the south declares independence.”
Already, there are concerns that delay in Sudan’s north-south border demarcations could delay timely conduct of the referendum, a revelation that many southerners find it had to accept in reality. Nearly 80 percent of the borders are said to have been successfully demarcated, with the remaining 20 percent still in jeopardy.
Lokulenge Lole, the Chief Coordinator, Southern Sudan Civic Education organization told Sudan Tribune that long-awaited referendum will still go ahead regardless of the ongoing north-south border demarcation saga, which has continuously drawn mixed reactions from leaders in the two regions.
“I want to assure you all that with or without the north-south border demarcation, the referendum will still take place. Short of that, we shall just declare the independence of the south.”
(ST)