Russia will accept referendum outcome if north and south satisfied, envoy says
December 27, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Russian envoy to Sudan, Mikhail Margelov, has declared that his country will accept the outcome of south Sudan’s referendum vote on independence if it is recognized by domestic partners and the international community, less than two weeks since he was reported to have held secret talks with South Sudanese officials in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv.
The semi-autonomous region of South Sudan is hurtling towards a referendum on January 9, 2011 when its citizens, who mostly follow Christianity or traditional beliefs, will choose whether or not they wish to retain unity with the predominantly Muslim north Sudan.
The plebiscite is a key plank of the 2005’s peace deal which ended nearly half a century of intermittent civil war between the south and the north.
All indications suggest that south Sudan secession is a fait accompli and will be promptly recognized by the international community.
However, there are fears that the ruling National Congress Party in north Sudan may not recognize the results or attempt to discredit them, an action that could reignite civil war between the two sides.
According to the Russian news agency Interfax, the Russian envoy said his country would be ready to recognize the “results that satisfy both the north and the south.”
Margelov, who also serves as head the International Affairs Committee at the Federation Council of Russia, said he wishes if north and south Sudan could preserve the unity of the country.
But if a decision is taken in favor of secession, Margelov said he hoped it would be “peaceful and civilized.”
Last week, an Israeli news website reported that Margelov on 16 December held secret talks with South Sudanese officials in Tel Aviv. According to the website, the meeting’s agenda was the referendum.
Earlier this year, Margelov riled southern Sudanese when he warned of a failed state in south Sudan, saying that his country does not wish to see a “new Somalia” emerging in the region.
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Bol Deng
Russia will accept referendum outcome if north and south satisfied, envoy says
Can North Sudan afford zillions of wars? I doubt, we are ready for you guys. Whether you like it or not,we South Sudanese will be irritating grass at your butt if you are going to reject our favorable outcome. The better you leave as peacefully other this country is going to be in billion years in war. South Sudan are capable to doing anything that they like in Sudan and there is no question that can prevent them from secede whether a war. Caution!
Bol Bol
Russia will accept referendum outcome if north and south satisfied, envoy says
The current political climate in the in the North indicated that they are already dissatisfied with South Sudan likelihood of seceding will that still illegitimatize the referenda final outcome as far as Russia concern?
James Garang
Russia will accept referendum outcome if north and south satisfied, envoy says
I know Russia are a business people who like to sell their Jets to Al Bashir to finish us in the South Sudan so that our oil will remain with them for their richness.
I tell you Margelov if we vote and we win our independent and the North reject that right and you are also accept what the North Sudan said. please I tell you come with your jets of Russia to fight with us and we are accept to die. we do not want to be under Arab Muslim regime again after 9 January 2011. please I am not happy with your statement as you said that your country will accept South Sudan’s referendum vote on independence if it is recognized by domestic partners. which kind of the parners that are you talking about. Is it NCP your party? please do not involve in our problem let us have our own friendship with you people of Russia apart from Arab Muslim in North Sudan