Ethiopia working for peaceful referendum in Sudan – ministry
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
December 31, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia, along with other regional bodies has been exerting maximum efforts towards peaceful and successful completion of the Southern Sudan referendum, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry on Wednesday has held consultation meeting with the Foreign, Defense and Security Affairs Standing Committee within the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) on the current situation in Sudan and mainly on the upcoming referendum and the prospects of Ethiopia- Sudanese ties.
During the meeting, African Affairs Director with the Ministry, Ambassador Negash Kibiret reaffirmed his country continued support toward successful completion of the referendum and lasting peace in Sudan.
Regardless of the outcome in Sudan’s referendum, Ethiopia said it has been collaborating with pertinent bodies towards the success of the referendum and the respect of the decision of the Sudanese people.
It was noted that the African Union and IGAD should take the leading role in the ongoing continental efforts towards the peaceful resolution of the Sudanese situation.
The Ethiopian Ambassador said that preparations are well underway for the thousands of Southern Sudanese living in Ethiopia to vote for the January 9, 2011 referendum on self-determination.
According to Government of South Sudan (GOSS) liaison office in Addis Ababa, some 10,000 eligible Sudanese have registered to cast for the independence votes.
Ethiopia and Sudan have longstanding social, political, economic and cultural ties. Economic and trade relations between the two neighbors have reached a boom to 57 billion Birr (some 3.45 billion US dollars).
Next to Somalia, the vast African nation actually is continent’s biggest importer of Ethiopian mainly agricultural products.
Sudan is currently ranked fourth of the countries that hugely invest in the horn nation.
(ST)