Secretary of State Clinton Says Sudanese Must "Dampen Animosities" To Achieve Peace

The United Nations Security Council met today to hammer out final details of the Sudanese referendum on January 9 2011 which will seek to permanently build borders between the government of Sudan in the North and the SPLM (Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement) in the South. The South has been seeking independence since a treaty process was initiated in 2005.

Over 30,000 UN peacekeepers are still in the region tackling daily battles with the Janjaweed militia hired by the government, and opposition groups in the South who support the liberation of tribal factions, especially those in Darfur. Dozens of aid workers and journalists have been threatened or killed as a result of the ongoing conflict between the two parties. 

The referendum was set up by the international community to separate the North from the South and to liberate 44 million Sudanese from decades of abuse and mistreatment at the hands of the warring parties. Over 2 million have died and 4 million were displaced as a result of the social, political and economic abuses within the country over the past 40 years. 

Speaking to the Council, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton urged both parties to continue to participate in the Doha talks set up to mitigate peace among rebel groups in Darfur.  The South is also asking for territorial control of Abyei, where much fighting has occurred in recent months. 

“If Sudan chooses a path of peace, the government of Sudan can have a much improved relationship with the United States.” Clinton said.  “The United States has already taken steps to aid Sudan in agricultural production and resources, put an end to US sanctions, ease international debt relief, and remove Sudan from its list of state-sponsored terrorism.”

There are over 2500 polling stations set up throughout the country and some 45,000 Darfuris are expected to vote.