South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
March 9, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese First Vice President and the president of South Sudan Salva Kiir suggested today that he will not accept any compromise on the holding of the 2011 referendum after several countries in the region proposed delaying it until the situation is ripe for it.
![Southern Sudan leader Salva Kiir [R-front] and Sudan's 2nd Vice President Ali Osman Taha [L-front] attend the 14th Extra Ordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority Heads of State and Government at the Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya, 09 Mar 2010 (AFP)](https://sudantribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/jpg_Kiir-Taha1.jpg "Southern Sudan leader Salva Kiir [R-front] and Sudan's 2nd Vice President Ali Osman Taha [L-front] attend the 14th Extra Ordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority Heads of State and Government at the Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya, 09 Mar 2010 (AFP)")
“The conduct of the elections is not a pre-requisite to the conduct of the referendum,” Kiir said at the first IGAD gathering on Sudan since the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between North and South it helped broker.
“The people of southern Sudan attach more importance to the referendum than the elections. For them the right of self-determination is one of their biggest political achievements in the CPA and they will defend it at any cost,” he added.
Kiir’s remarks appear to be a direct response to increasing regional pressure from countries like Egypt and Eritrea that the self determination process be placed on hold as the situation in the south is unstable. The SPLM chief’s tone stressed that everything should go as originally planned in the peace accord.
“I ardently appeal to you all that the CPA is fully implemented and as per its timetable. I urge you all to recognize and respect the choice of the people of southern Sudan during the 2011 referendum,” he said.
Leaders of the six-nation IGAD east African body that met in Nairobi to assess the implementation of the CPA issued a statement to temper South Sudan’s rush to referendum saying that uncertainty in the oil rich nation posed a threat to their own economies and peace.
Ugandan President Yoweri Musievini, Djibouti’s Ismail Omar Guelleh, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki attended the meeting.
A surge of ethnic violence in South Sudan has resulted in the deaths of more than 2,500 people and forced 350,000 to flee their homes in 2009, according to a report issued by ten aid groups ahead of the referendum and the April elections which will be the first multi-party polls since 1986.
The clashes raised fears over the stability of a post-secession South left lingering resentments in a region already riven by traditional disputes over territory and cattle.
The Sudanese Second Vice president and the representative of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) at the conference Ali Osman Taha said the north will respect whatever choices made by Southerners but that they are hopeful for unity.
“While we re-affirm our unequivocal commitment to respect the choice of the people of southern Sudan, we clearly state that our vision and hope that unity of Sudan will be the free choice and outcome of the referendum,” said Taha.
IGAD Secretary General Mahboub Maalim urged the bloc’s leaders to carefully consider the events before and after the two key political events.
“For the elections… we must ponder its seriousness and the implication in regional security, the CPA as well as the general welfare of the people of Sudan,” he told the gathering.
Speakers at the summit stressed both parties must immediately begin negotiations on post-referendum arrangements. The two sides split the revenue from oil reserves found in southern territory, but no agreement has been made about whether revenue-sharing would continue in the case of Southern independence
They also called on the Sudan government to “ensure the removal of obstacles to a free and fair election,” according to a statement.
Sudan’s North-South civil war killed an estimated 2 million people and forced 4 million to flee.
(ST)
and Sudan’s 2nd Vice President Ali Osman Taha [L-front] attend the 14th Extra Ordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority Heads of State and Government at the Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya, 09 Mar 2010 (AFP)”]
Gatwech
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Bravo Salvatore Kiir Miyerdit,
I hope you will stand your position any where, not only in the safe Nairobi. Say it again and again in Khartoum, Cairo, etc., that no re-schedule to referendum.
If they want to postpone the elections, which is good-for-nothing since NCP has pre-rigged it, then let them allow the conduct of referendum as scheduled for January 2011.
That would be a good deal since elections will bring violence that would affect the conduct of referendum is such post-elections violence takes the whole of 2010.
Dinka Boy
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
South Sudanese are ready for 2010 election as the precondition for 2011 according to CPA promises. The escaping of 2010 election could be the violation of CPA and this was the reason we want to end this election peacefully though we have some elements with their intention to spoil the interest of South through violence. We Southerners will elect Arman and Kiir for the South to cross the bridge. But those of Bashier and Akol will be elected by their fellows who interestly aiming for united Sudan in 2011.
Yes, South Sudanese yearn international communities to monitor 2011 because that year means automatical war. IGAD knows that Oil is one major obstacles awaiting Southners,but the observers should know that the oil destiny deponds on the geographical location. If the oil is located in North then that oil is for North and verse versa. But due to Khartoum greedness,that might be their problem. Ok, South can respond to any intimidation of NCP if they want to procreate another war due to the resources in the South.
Yes, South Sudanese are killing themselves know because of many collaborating and selfish power greedies in the South,but South will deal with these kind because most of these tribes have these kind of game ever since because it is like asoccer game in centuries back.NCP must and should not involve their feet in our mess because we will clean it by our selves.
Brothers and Sisters, let vote for Yasir Saeed Arman and Salva Kiir Mayardit for the forthcoming elections and after that we can monitor the outcome of 2011 as per negotiations result and the wealth sharing.
Thanks
Samson Lobung
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Bravo President Kiir,
This is the best time I have heard you speaking boldly about the interst of your people. Countries like Eritrea got their independene through referendum. Now they don’t want us to join the free world. For Egypt it is understanble, they want the land and water and not us.Speak the same language.Spread the message wide and clear. History will judge you well.
Deng Athuai
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
The right to self-determination for the Independence for the people of Southern Sudan is the lasting solution to South Sudan’s problems,therefore,the regional countries have to distant themselves in making moves and remarks that are jeopardising peace and the hope,they do not know how we suffered and borne the brunt the long protracted civil wars have caused us.
2011 referundum as scheduled should not be tempered with whosoever you think you are unless otherwise.Dr Mayardit keep it up.
DabeJoseph Gale
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
I some times, iam proud of Kiir on his statement of defensive to the course of Southern Sudan interest but, only i differ with him on few things,one because he is tribalistic man appointing all Dinkatore in minsitrial position,Directors,Undersecertaries,Security guards and even cleaners are all dinka.so,what kind of inclusive government is this? if you ask your self a question.you find that,you will travell for long to find that, there is no answer for the question but, only tribalism.the other question to come is shall we live in peace if the marginaluisation of the other tribes continue by the dinka in south Sudan? find answer for your self.what possible solution can be drown to aviod possible revelute by other tribes in South Sudan? Shall the dinka ciontinue imposing their dinka interest on the people of South Sudan? if so,shall we accept the ideas? find out,what divid us as southerners? and what unite us as southerners? if we able to answer these questions, we can find solution to our course as people of thesame nation.
Junior de maber
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Dear President,congratulation and sultation, keep on but remmember if so called IGAD is pushing and enforcing what we don’t espect than you better quit and decleare a State of Emergency and we will suport our New State,our Oil,Militry etc.
Nevertheles, IGAD are also being given some portion of our Oil by the so called crazy NCP, which is not our stambling block.We are called new people united not old like the 1972s as the NCP rulers may think. Carry on Mr.Kiir we are behind you.
Simon Wicheng
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
It is indeed a great respect and honor to thank you very much for coming out bold and standing firm to our cause. Mr. President this a cause that took lives of millions, this a cause that displaced millions more to neighboring countries and beyond and indeed it is a cause that you and your colleaugues in SPLM and SPLA took arms to correct. The solution to that cause was the CPA and indeed the Referendum on self determination.
Mr. President, Nile water to Egypt and Sudan government’s support to struggling Eritrean State are their own respective countries interest has nothing to do with our affairs.
Mr. President, whatever cost it may take, referendum is our rights that nobody granted us. It is the blood of our youth who took up and died for this right.
We are behind you!!!!!!
Wiyual Wech Puk D. Payol.
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
The choice of the southern sudan people is separation.we are here to make separation and we don’t want any unity with arabs.I hope when the south sudan be independent,no resources sharing with arabs of north because the resources will belong to the southern part of the country.the only relationship between the two parts of the country will be selling-buying relationship like that of other African nations.let arabs not put in their minds that they will have some percentages from southern people’s oil after separation,not at all.Bravo Kiir!!!!! self determination is more than any thing including coming april election,it is our choice we,the people of southern sudan.
paweetdit
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Bravo Mayardit! Now you are talking, that is how man can talk on behalf of his poeple.
please keep that spirit and the spies will realise your manhood, otherwise we as southern are all standing behind you with expectation of referedum next year but not****please be a man of “no to no and yes to yes”.
Actually we don’t mind of election but referedum.
By the way who will vote for slavery again? Am sorry to read that statement in the article which stated that “southerner will vote for unity”. Brothers and sisters Ali osman is a great lier!
SPLM OYEEEEEEEE! ALL parties in the South OYEEEEEEEEEEE!
Gatwech
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Dear South Sudanese,
Elections should be postponed if possible because it will do us more harm than good. What we need is REFERENDUM that leads to separation and NOT the so-called fake election which is already pre-rigged by Bashir.
Bashir wants to use elections result as a bargaining chip against the court of ICC to tell them look, if you thought I killed my people, why would they re-elect me? He would then use re-election as people’s mandate to kill more in Darfur.
Despite the fact that Bashir’s re-election is good for CPA’s general implementation, my main worry is that the same elections will not go down well in the South. There definitely will be post-elections violence.
Bashir after assuming presidency may use that post-elections violence in the South as a reason to delay or postpone the referendum in the South. The violence may go on until 2011. So, we will find ourselves having conducted an election which brought back to power Bashir but left the South in violence.
What I mean is that the election should not hold referendum hostage. Salva Kiir himself said it that election is NOT a pre-requisite for the referendum. Avoid election and conduct referendum in 2011. If the vote results to unity then elections can be organized after that. And if the votes result to separation, then each country (North and South) would organize its own elections at a time of its own choosing.
If IGAD leaders can convince NCP to postpone elections but hold referendum in January 2011, this would be safer. Again why, because elections will definitely bring violence which is not what we want. That violence will be used later on by the NCP after winning (rigging) elections to delay the referendum. And this violence will divide the South Sudanese.
So we better do our referendum as united as we are instead of going for the elections which will divide us and that violent division will be used by the same NCP or whoever in the North to delay the referendum.
SPLM plus IGAD countries should therefore push for postponement of elections (in order to avoid post-elections violence which would affect and delay referendum) and conduct referendum as scheduled in January 2011.
okucu pa lotinokwan
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
IGAD,should not play with the right of the southerners,by saying delaying the period of the referendum,its mean this is aviolation of the CPA,we know very well that there are over the whole world countries have signed against it. How can it come about by IGAD members to delay the referendum for the south,Egypt and Eriteran can not,or predict any situation in the south.After referendum all oil pipe line flowing north will be stop without any question.
James Okuk Solomon
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Thanks to H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit for the strong statement to IGAD leaders without any single fear. I wrote in my latest article in this website last week that “No to the bad talks of postponement of elections because this shall affect the schedule of referendum for self-determination in January 2011 as the CPA and Interim constitution have stated it clearly that the referendum shall be managed by an elected government. If SPLM leaders really intend to change their hearts and join the champions of self-determination for the South, let them not fear elections in April 2010 and let them categorically reject any attempt (nationally, regionally or internationally) to postpone it. Also it is high time to fill the abandoned post and responsibilities of the 1st Vice President of the republic of the Sudan as Kiir left vacant his duties in Gordon Palace in Khartoum for no justifiable reasons.”
Kiir also should talk clearly and without any fear that there should never be any postponement of April 2010 elections. We need those elections to legitimize the referendum in January 2011. No short cut. Even if Kiir is to be out of power after April elections for the sake of peaceful referednum for independence of South Sudan, let it be because the interest of South Sudan should be considered greatest than any individual lust for power. This is it. No other way.
Akuma
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Hello H.E President Gen. Dr. Salva Kiir Mayardit for your comment, Southerners has suffered for decades and there is no need abandunt the problems. There is nothing being implemented since the comprehensive peace agreement was signed in 2005, how can wise people always being fool.
So, with or without election, southern sudan need referendum to be diffenrent country.
Dr. Akuma, chicago USA
Gatwech
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Folks,
Kiir is even more clearer on the position of election and referendum. He said it clearly that “IF” elections were to be postponed, the referendum must be conducted as scheduled in January 2011. This statement means that he is ready to agree to the postponement of the elections, but NOT the referendum.
Please read these excerpts I copied from miraya fm website quoting Kiir below:
“The First Vice President and President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, said that the Southern Sudan referendum is more important than the upcoming elections scheduled in next April. Addressing the 14th extraordinary summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Nairobi, Kiir said if there is any postponement of the general elections, it should not affect the referendum process scheduled for 2011.”
Kiir said “the people of Southern Sudan see the referendum more important than the elections because they consider it a major political achievement in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and will defend it at any cost”.
“However, Kiir called on the IGAD countries to support the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and should respect the choice of the people of Southern Sudan in the referendum. Since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, IGAD has for the first time, put the peace deal on its agenda on Tuesday.”
Kuany Dak
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Dear all,
Saliva Kiir, a leader for the people of south Sudan stanced by his people and pay no attention to those who suggest that they want referendum election postpone in January 2011.
It is true that April election is not pre-requite to conduct of referendum election in the south Sudan. April election is transitional authorities and test for the modality of CPA implementation agreement. It is important to demonstrates democratic transition that mark post interim authority ending.
Yes, it is true that south is counting on the referendum than April election. Precisely, there is no doubt in the region and IGAD would understand this position.
Suggesting postponement of referendum vote is merely tactic of NCP and is not interest of south sudanese people. Egypt and Eritrean president who suggest such postponement, I think they hate south secession from the north if they are not enemies of the south. South Sudan has no benefit to postpone democratic referendum and it must go on as it is planned in January 2011.
On big scoreboard is the IGAD countries to give them big thank for they helped negotiate this peace agreement. This CPA will be legacy of Dr.John Garang who was a leader of SPLM, then CPA fails he will not be remembered for anything beyond this point.
Saliva Kiir and Riek Machar are charged of implementation of this agreement from start to finish in January 2011. Two leaders shall make it possible for the people of south sudan to reach their dream destination without failure.
No fail promise! No fail referendum! I salute you all.
Thank you,
Kuany Dak
Piny Amec Abethool-Jesus
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Thank you Mr president kiir Mayardit and Goss
Excellent, SPLM has learned how to say No. At such a time as this, we should support our leaders no matter what so the world may know they are representing our interest not their interest. Let us protest against IGAD to proof that Kiir Mayardit is right.
My call is this,
All southerners should protest against IGAD’s provocative proposal of postponing 2011 referendum to tell the world that, what Kiir Mayardit said in IGAD conference is in our national interest. Even if that protest costs millions of oil dollar, please let do it now not later. All the ten states in the south must protest to support our leader kiir mayardit’s statement.
IGAD wants to put future blames on southerners when the civil war resume between North and South again in January 2011.
IGAD wants to tell the world that they have to South Sudan to postpone the 2011referendum but south said NO. Southerners this is a very servious game. We must open our eyes and think more than when we were fighting NCP in 1990s.
My slogan or motto in that protest against IGAD will be…
IGAD, do not postpone 2011 referendum.
Why? Because we need the Republic of New Sudan (RONS). When do we need it? January 2011.
’’silent is an image of death’’ president kiir should continue preaching his concise and clear message to NCP, USA, UN, EU, AU and IGAD.
SPLM leaders must stop going to Egypt from now. Kiir statement means war to Egypt, but independence for South Sudan. It is great that kiir is pleasing southerners not Egypt any more.
All southerners are very excited about kiir statement including Gatwech and Thieleling who hates kiir.
Long Live Kiir Mayardit and SPLM…silent is an image of death southerners.
Piny Amec Abethool-Jesus
Time1
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
The best way forward is to let everything run its course, let the election run its course as agreed and let the referendum run its course as agreed, anyone who tried to change anything is stupid and is an enemy of peace.
Time1
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
GOSS lead by Salva Kirr is committed to CPA untill the end, no postphonement of elections or referendum, why? because it is not possible to rewrite a peace agreement which is already sealed and has brough peace bwteen north and south, the CPA should just be allowed to run its course until the end of the interim period as it was agreed upon by everybody, talking of postponing something is very stupid indeed.
Deng Garang Akech
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Yes our elder Brother and the most trustful memeber of the SPLM in wish the Late Dr John Garang told us of him to be our leader after him if any things happen.Yes you are as he said before his crash happen and he show us your will to lead us to our promise known as Southern Sudan.But always remember we don’t trust your advisers, sometime the mislead you where publics opinions are oppose due to their self-interest within your leadreship inorder for their gain against public needs and opinions of independant candidates should solves before election and results within the SPLM Leadreships council.Thank you in advance for better results to the party.
Oduck Bol
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
You are right this time persident Kiir.
We want to move away from Arab calture which had been killing southerns since independent of Sudan. Let them injoy their themslves alone.
With or by any price we are ready to pay it.
Chol Mading
South Sudan closes door on possible reschedule of referendum
Hats off to President Kiir for standing up against the manipulations brought forth by Egypt and Eritrea undercover of killer Bashir. Referendum shouldn’t be delayed by all means! South Sudan must be free from theses blood suckers animals aka Arabs. Our unweaving support is with you and may God bless South Sudan.
Chol Mading