US Gives Khartoum, Juba To-Do Lists

The Sudanese governments in Khartoum and Juba should be commended for respecting the outcome of the independence referendum, but still need to resolve  other components of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, such as the impasses over Abyei and other disputed region says US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. 

 “As long as Abyei’s status remains unresolved, it could indeed trigger further instability across Sudan” Rice told the Security Council during a briefing on Sudan today. “We urge the parties to swiftly resolve the remaining issues of citizenship, security, water, debts and assets, currency, oil management, and wealth sharing. Resolving these issues will facilitate international assistance to Sudan, both North and South.”

 Rice also voiced concern over the continuing violence in Darfur, calling on rebel groups and Khartoum government forces to reach a ceasefire and begin a significant negotiation process.

 “We are deeply concerned about the region’s deteriorating security situation.” said Rice, “the Government of Sudan must bring peace to Darfur, fully cooperate with UNAMID and provide unrestricted humanitarian access.”

Voting In Southern Sudan Referendum Continues Amidst Violence In Disputed Border Region

As the second day of voting in Southern Sudan’s independence referendum comes to an end, clashes between Southern Sudanese security forces and tribes near Abyei have claimed more than 30 lives, say local officials. The status of Abyei within Sudan continues to be one of the more contentious issue between Khartoum and the South, as both sides have refused concede the area because of its strategic location near the border, significant oil reserves, cattle grazing ground and easy access to water.

Meanwhile, the South Sudan Referendum Commission(SSRC) says that over 750 000 of the 3.7 million people registered to vote in the South were able to cast their ballots on Sunday. There are about another 100 000 Southerners living in the North registered to vote and over 50 000 living outside the country. Over the weekend, thousands of Southern Sudanese living in the United States cast their votes at polling stations in Nebraska, Texas, Arizona, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Washington DC.  Government of Southern Sudan officials to the US mission estimate that about 1500 Southern Sudanese voted at the Washington DC pre-polling station alone.