Southern figure blasts SPLM’s SG statement on separation

November 21, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese former state foreign minister Bishop Gabriel Rorec criticized statement made last week by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement secretary general over southern Sudan Independence.

Pagan Amum said last week 90% of surveyed southern Sudanese said they will vote for separation. He blamed the National Congress Party for not making unity attractive.

The prominent southern political leader condemned Amum’s statement saying that it was for political consumption. He further warned against generalization of talking for secession because such talk is serious for the future of Sudan.

Rorec also said that the decision of whether south goes a separate state or remains united with the north would be determined by the referendum scheduled to take place in 2011.

The former minister warned against any attempt of declaring an independent south from inside the southern parliament as it was the case for the Independence of Sudan in 1956. He reminded that southern Sudan parliament was appointed in accordance with the peace agreement and not an elected one.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between North and South in 2005 provided for a referendum in 2011 for Southerners to determine if they want to secede.

(ST)