South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
November 3, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The South Sudan referendum commission (SSRC) is facing deep divisions within its top ranks as they begin to question their ability to hold the key vote on January 9, 2011 as required by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the North and South more than five years ago.
But one source familiar with the work of the SSRC told Sudan Tribune that Ibrahim’s resignation was only the tip of the iceberg.
” [SSRC’s SG] Al-Nijoumi himself wanted to leave as he is finding it increasingly difficult to work with [SSRC chief] Khalil and it was only after intense pressure did he agree to stay on,” said the source who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations.
The source described the atmosphere among the SSRC administrators as “tense” and “loaded with mistrust and suspicion”.
Fuelling the tension is Khalil’s unpublicized conviction that it would be impossible to hold the referendum on time and his concern that this amounts to a failure would mar his career particularly as the whole world is watching how this process would unfold , the source added. But he acknowledged that Khalil’s management style is “autocratic” putting him at odds with his aides who feel that they lack minimum decision-making powers.
One of the major frustrations expressed by the 90-years old commission chief, the source said, is the lack of cash at his disposal needed to carry out crucial functions related to registering voters and training poll workers.
This week, the United Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said that it has more than half the $63 million pledged by the donors to support the referendum. However it is not clear if how much of that amount has been received in cash versus logistical material needed for the vote.
According to the timetable released by the commission last month, voters will now be registered between November 15 and December 1 and the final list of voters will be published on January 4, five days before the start of voting.
EGYPT WANTS REFERENDUM DELAYED
Meanwhile the Egyptian government for the first time made it clear that it would like to see the referendum delayed citing concern over preparation and possibility for the outbreak of violence.
“We fear separation may be accompanied by some violent actions that affect Sudan’s relations with neighboring countries and Egypt, which circumstances may oblige to host Sudanese” fleeing unrest, the official MENA news agency quoted the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit as telling a committee at the consultative council which is known as Shura council.
“This is matter of concern that requires adequate preparations,” he said.
“It is not a problem if the referendum is delayed for several months………Sudanese should take into account the priority of the importance of life over the importance of holding the referendum on time ” MENA quoted the Egyptian minister as saying.
Last week the referendum commission chief said that it would be a “miracle” to hold the plebiscite as scheduled on January 9, 2011.
Preparations for the key votes in South Sudan and Abyei have proceeded haltingly amid political and logistical obstacles, and the southerners have accused the northerners of stalling, warning of violence if the referendum is delayed. ?
Furthermore, it is all but certain that the Abyei referendum will be delayed as the commission to oversee it has not been established yet. Northern officials have publicly asserted that the disputed border area will not have its vote held as scheduled as issues of border demarcation and eligibility of voters have yet to be resolved.
Last Friday, US president Barack Obama spoke on the phone with former South African president Thabo Mbeki who heads an African Union panel on Sudan to discuss the referendum with both sides affirming that it should not be delayed.
The Egyptian top diplomat also revealed that Cairo proposed the establishment of a confederation between north and south Sudan.
“The Sudanese have requested some time to study the Egyptian proposal although they have some reservations,” he added.
South Sudan president said in a press statements that any idea of confederation can only be discussed after the South actually secedes.
(ST)
Anyang
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
Bad apples are playing with our future folks and we shouldn’t compromise with them no matter what they says or do to annilate us.
Otong
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
Egypt has no right to intervene into Sudanese affairs especially South Sudan, Where was Egypt for the last 6 years when we were trying to get NIF/NCP to implement the CPA, especially the referendum act which include border demarcation and post referendum laws?
What can be achieve if referendum is delayed for couples of months? We had 6 years to negotiate the laws, I don’t think delaying referendum will make a different or change NIF/NCP behavior. Referendum must go ahead on the 9th of January 2011 or we shall return to war and declare our independence.
Agutran
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside! Really! Is there any trick in the book Khartoum hasn’t used ever since?
I believe you boys could have been a little smarter, if had the names of the commission board members to be Southern names.
Please we have seen this movie before; you’re just wasting your time.
Deng Thiak Adut
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
I requote this statement “It is not a problem if the referendum is delayed for several months………Sudanese should take into account the priority of the importance of life over the importance of holding the referendum on time ” MENA quoted the Egyptian minister as saying.
Eygpt got no say or business in this referendum, so stay away…. why confederation now? who want to confederate? who will benefit from this so called confederation? This is despicable nonesense, and South is ready for self-declaration. African business not Arabs business. Confederation was possible in the past, and it serves the interest of Arabs then and it still does. We are not fearing going to War and you seen Kiir and Riek are ready for anything. Even the shameful Lam Akol is in support self-declaration.
God Help you!!
Sudan virus
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
Please away with foreign interference!
Understand what,when,who,where and how to interfere in and or listen to foreign affairs.
Confederation is not referendum for self determination.
This 90 year old man Ibrahim Khalil do not care lives of the youths of Sudan that is why he is playing with fire (referendums).
Akolde Nhiak Jinub
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
Dear Sudanese and Southerners in Particular,
Jamal Mohamed’s resignation has nothing to do with not holding this Referendum. In fact, every Sudanese all over Sudan should read our words as Southerners in media outlets, in-gatherings, on streets, teashops and everywhere we chat and relate that any delay amounts to unthinkable violence to get our right put in jeopardy by NCP/Islamic extremists in Khartoum.
We are tired of Arabs oppression for half a century from this generation to the next!. We need Peace, freedom, justice, and development as any other human on earth!!!!?????
SSRC chairperson Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil MUST be very careful with our referendum. War or no war lies in his hands on this referendum for the South. As for Abyei, Southerners from all walks of life will look and find a solution to Abyei’s predicament whether by hook or crock, gun barrel, or negiotations, Abyei belongs to South Sudan! Abyei causes Khartoum to ashes, or else allows to decide on its own! Abyei is a center for Sudan breaks into fractions or allows to decide on its own! Abyei becomes a deadly Kashimir between north and South caused by NCP Islamic Extremists, or allows to decide on its own.
Mohamed Ibrahim, you either do this referendum in Peace, or North and South return to (violence) war and you will be held accountable for any lives lost and damage done to anything in Khartoum or else where in Sudan.
If there is any International Community body out there for world Peace and Security, then they MUST get up on their toes now to prevent this return to war between former foes, or they are doing nothing to humanity in the world!!
Akolde
telfajbago
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
I think the entire problem of the referendum commission is his chief, the hard liner, Islamic Jihadist Mr. Khalil, who is adamant to implement the NCP’s agenda of intentionally postponing the referendum for few months and then take the rainy season scapegoat to delay it infinitely and eventually; sabotage the referendum. Furthermore, who told the Egyptian diplomat that, the Sudanese regime’s priority or even his own regime’s priority the life of the people so that, he can use it as an excuse to delay the referendum. Lastly; the UNMIS and the International partners should not commit the fatal mistake of putting material resources and logistical supplies at the entire disposal of the Islamists dominated commission.
Padiet Deng Alony
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
South Sudan president said in a press statements that any idea of confederation can only be discussed after the South actually secedes.
That is all said by H.E President of Southern Sudan Kiirdit.
Now is time for Southerners to identify which country is supporting them and who is not, for the future relation with Southern Sudan Country.
Southern Sudan Referendum will NOT even for a second delayed or that will lead north in fire they will not forget till Jesus come.
In case of human life as said by egyptian, i do not think arab care about human life as you can see in middle east, tell that to northern sudan because they will loose thier life in vain. But for Southern Sudan people we are sacrificing our life for Southern Sudan as A nation as well for the future generation and we will do it till the end of the world.
Biliu
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
Will we ever see Northerners respect there words and abide to it….I guess NOT…for me, I don’t mind to delay the referendum conduct for few months if both sides (SPLM & NCP) are certain and acknowledge it, but making it as an obstacle is what worrying me, such tactic will complicated the situation and lead to unwanted clashes at the end … Now …..it’s time for every Sudanese to ask himself /herself….do NCP is really willing to maintain peace in Sudan..?
Augustino
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
Hi guys you have no chance to waste as you just scrumble on your powers. we in South Sudan need referendum on time and as we needed exactly.
you must involve more members from the South Sudanese as they are the only people with right choice.
Thanks
Augustino In South Sudan
John M. Atem
South Sudan referendum commission crumbling from the inside?
Folks, Iam growing increasingly frustrated with way Self-determination Referendum conduct is going on. But the question is: who is ready to dance that inevitable war? I for one, do not want to see another war. I have lost my father, many close relatives and distance relatives during the war. I don’t want to see such bad things happen to other people. Folks, what is the point of one’s sacrificing himself or herself when no body gonna take care of your children?
Indeed, If those thugs in Juba want to take good care of their children why not other people taking care of their children?
Folks, there is an old saying in English, which goes” make the hay while the sun shines”.Therefore, in this regard, let us make a good use of this Upcoming Self-determination Referendum otherwise if we lose it we are not going to get it back.
Folks, if we naively believed that those thugs who are now stealing much-needed developmental funds in Juba will put up to fight ,than we are daydreaming. I bet you folks, these thugs will get the fuck out of Juba should things get out of hands.
After having carefully examined this, Achuil Tito- like Kapoeta incident, I have concluded that we need to be really careful with this Self-determination Referendum otherwise we have a lot to lose than to gain.
Folks, It is true that some people will put up to fight shoud the war start again, but they will definitely be overcomed by Sudan armed forces.
I respect President Kiir , but I have lost confidence in his leadership because he has surrounded himself with philosophical bankrupt murderous thugs and traitors. If President wants to be successful and want to go down in the history book as an accomplished political leader than let him fire that former murderous traitor and now Vice President Riak Machar.
This murderous former traitor is absolutely doing nothing.
He stands idly by while President Kiir is wrestling with devil-headed murderous monsters in Khartoum.
I bet you folks when these devil-headed murderous monsters in Khartoum wrestled Kiir down Riak will definitely make a earsplitting laugh and he will definitely leaves us behind as he did in 1991.
As we speak, President Kiir is physically, emotionally, and intellectually worn off. He needs some best brains’ help.
But none of those food-minded thugs in Juba could not render him any significant and intellectually-matured pieces of advice. Folks, I pray for the best, but not for the worst.
May almighty God creator of this magnificently great planet earth bless the long-suffering people of Southern Sudan who have suffered so much in the hands of various murderous and pariah regimes that have come and gone in Khartoum and guided them into glorious promised land of freedom shoud Self-determination Referendum on Southern Sudan go a head.
John Atem is the orphaned son of late freedom fighter. He has successfully completed Certifcates in Agriculture, Peace Education and Diploma in Criminal Justice.
Thank you very much.
May peace be with those who work day and night work for peaceful and successful Self-determination Referendum conduct.