Machar: building good relations with the North is South Sudan’s goal
January 27, 2011 (JUBA) – Achieving friendly relations between South and North Sudan is a main program to be pursued by the emerging new independent South Sudan after the announcement of the referendum results, says the region’s vice president, Riek Machar.
Machar said there are nomadic tribes that live along the border and therefore their internationally accepted right to movement should also continue to be respected.
He made the remarks on 27 January during his meeting with the visiting Swiss Ambassador to Sudan, Andrej Motyl. The Vice President commended the recent statement by Sudan’s President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, acknowledging the overwhelming vote for secession by people of South Sudan as well as his expression of readiness to celebrate with the South Sudanese in a new independent state.
On 25 January, President Bashir declared that the North would celebrate the referendum results in the South as the people have overwhelmingly voted for secession.
“Secession has become a reality — 99 percent of southerners chose separation but we will not be mourning … we will go to the south and celebrate with them,” Bashir said.
“South Sudan separation will not be the end of history, but rather a new stage for building Sudan,” Bashir added.
Speaking on the future governance of an independent South Sudan, the Vice President said the region’s future stability, being a diverse country, can be maintained through a federal system of governance. He stressed the importance of nurturing a participatory democracy.
The meeting also discussed bilateral relations and cooperation between Switzerland and South Sudan.
The Swiss diplomat congratulated the Government of Southern Sudan for what he said was a wise approach which contributed to the success of the conduct of referendum.
He said his government would identify areas in which to assist South Sudan in the coming period.
(ST)