UN assures to support referendum process in South Sudan
June 6, 2010 (JUBA) – The United Nations Special Envoy to Sudan, Haile Menkarios, has assured that the world body will thoroughly support the process of referenda for Southern Sudan and Abyei and urged the two parties to the 2005 North-South peace deal to expedite formation of their respective commissions.
He further explained that the UN will be ready to provide any additional support if needed per request of the parties concerned.
The Envoy, who earlier on met with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, said he also discussed with the leadership the formation of the governments in Southern Sudan as well as the national government.
Menkarios, an Eritrean national whose native country conducted a similar referendum on independence from Ethiopia in 1993, also added that the UN body would want to see the referendum in Southern Sudan conducted by the 9th January 2010 as scheduled without any delay.
There are currently isolated voices calling for the postponement of conduct of the referendum for another ten years.
Menkarios further pointed out that the UN will respect the choice of the people of Southern Sudan between unity and separation in the referendum. “Nobody else has the right to point a finger against the choice of the people of Southern Sudan,” he boldly said.
The UN top envoy in Sudan urged the two parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to expedite the formation of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission so that it kicks off with the task, warning that the time was running out.
Dr. Machar on his part appreciated the bold assurances by the UN body, explaining that the SPLM’s negotiation team will immediately resume its task once the government is formed within the next few days.
Machar who also chairs the oversight Referendum Task Force said the ministerial membership of the Task Force would be known only after the formation of the new cabinet.
He added that the ruling party in the South is committed to a free and fair conduct of the referenda in Southern Sudan and Abyei in addition to the respective popular consultations in the two states of Southern Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan.
Menkarios said he would soon travel to the UN headquarters in New York to share his experience in Sudan with member states of the world body.
(ST)
Kim Deng
UN assures to support referendum process in South Sudan
Folks,
The self-determination ringleader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon will never let few unionists within GoSS hijack the referendum. It’s a matter of life and death.
Dinka Boy
UN assures to support referendum process in South Sudan
KIm Deng,
First of all you and Gatwech are denaging the reputation of Riek Machar more then before in the South Sudan history.
You must know that Riek machar is the Vp in South Sudan and therefore he has to work under the SPLM leadership effort. He has to work hard because he is among the leaders in the South.
Why do you called Riek Machar aringleader? if you doesn,t know then check the definition of ringleader other you will regrete.
Don,t be blindfolded everyday when you see just the picture and you start demaging him. Haaaaaaaaa, praise your lord!