Email
Print
Save
February 1, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Jean Ping, head of the African Union Commission, hailed the conduct of a successful referendum on the independence of southern Sudan and expressed readiness to recognize the results of the vote.
Ping made his remarks during a meeting with the Sudanese first Vice-President and head of the southern Sudan government held on the sidelines of the African Union summit on 31 January.
Kiir was in Addis Ababa to take part in a special meeting on Sudan attended by President Omer Al-Bashir, the UN chief Ban Ki-moon, the head of the AU commission and a number of heads of states and governments.
"The Chairperson warmly congratulated Mr. Salva Kiir and the people and leadership of Sudan on the successful completion of the referendum on self-determination, for having shown exemplary courage and commitment to peace," said Noureddine Mezni, spokesperson of the AU chief in a statement released on Tuesday.
"The African Union looks forward to solemnly accepting the results of the referendum as soon as they are formally proclaimed," he added.
Sudanese government announced yesterday its acceptance of the preliminary results of the referendum with over 99% of vote in favor of the independence. The final results should be officially confirmed this month.
The Sudanese parties have now to start talks on the post-referendum issues including Abyei, border demarcation, debit, oil and citizenship. The African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki works with the stakeholders to finalize the talks.
Ping reiterated the readiness of the AU to work closely with the United Nations and other countries for the construction of the South. He further stated that through the AUHIP, the AU will continue to engage the two parties to find a peaceful solution to the post-referendum issues.
South Sudan will be declared officially an independent state on 9 July 2011 at the end of the interim period provided in the peace accords of 2005.
(ST)
Latest Comments & Analysis
South Sudan after Paanthou crisis 2012-05-14 01:35:00 By Steve Paterno May 13, 2012 — Diplomatically, when the Paanthou crisis occurred, South Sudan found itself unprepared and underrepresented in the diplomatic front. The diplomatic ferocity of its (...)
Sudan and South Sudan: Where are they heading? 2012-05-12 05:59:20 By Luka Biong Deng May 11, 2012 — When the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in 2005, the Sudanese and the international community were relieved as Sudan would be put on the path of (...)
Khartoum and the language of war: Who’s really listening? 2012-05-12 05:31:52 By Eric Reeves May 11, 2012 — Every day it becomes clearer that unless Juba buckles before Khartoum's extortionate demands, on a range of issues, then the regime will settle matters (...)
MORE