South Sudan welcomes Obama push for conduct of referendum

December 20, 2010 (JUBA) — Leading members of the regional government of south Sudan on Monday welcomed call by United States of America president Barrack Hussein Obama on regional leaders to support peaceful and timely conduct of a referendum on self determination for the people of south Sudan.

Speaking to the Sudan Tribune in Juba, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, minister of information and broadcasting services in the government of South Sudan said initiatives being made by US government is the only way possible to bring peace to Sudan.

“We in the government of south Sudan welcome this position because we believe that timely conduct of referendum is the best choice and alternative to avoid a return to war between the two regions,” said Marial.

“America was of one the key active players during the on and off negotiations and was one of the international actors who kept pressure on the two parties, a pressure which played an important role in the signing of this peace deal and so has the responsibility to ensure the same peace they supported is implemented,” stressed the minister.

Under the 2005 peace deal dubbed as Comprehensive Peace Agreement, South Sudan would hold an internationally monitored referendum on self-determination to decide whether to remain part of united Sudan or choose to become one of the newest nations on the African continent.

With less than three weeks left for eligible southern voters to go to the poll, president Obama tries to mobilize Sudan’s neighboring countries to put more pressure on Khartoum to ensure the vote takes place on time and to respect the outcome of the referendum.

“President Obama has made it clear that Sudan is one of the administration’s top priorities; we have a vision of hope, peace and prosperity for the people of Sudan,” said White House National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer, on Sunday.

The official spokesperson also confirmed that president Obama had written letters to a number of leaders and heads of state in the region about the referendum and the situation in Darfur.

The letters sent out sent to leaders of Libya, Egypt, Chad, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda, as well as to the African Union were of part of an ongoing diplomatic push to emphasize the importance that Washington places on a peaceful Sudan.

Some senior government officials in the south accused President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir and his ruling National Congress Party of plotting to disrupt the vote to keep control of oil fields in the south.

(ST)