South Sudan declares independence - Hilde Johnson heads new U.N. Mission in the Republic of South Sudan

Sudan Watch News Roundup, compiled by the editor:

• South Sudan declares independence
• SSLA speaker James Wani Igga declares ROSS an independent state
• President Omar al-Bashir acknowledges south's independence
• Salva Kiir says independence of south is timeless history
• UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tells north and south to continue good relations
• Leaders call on north and south to continue cooperation
• NISS to cooperate with security organs in the south to maintain security and peace
• The south and north have agreed to deploy Ethiopian troops in Abyei
• UN approves 7,000 peacekeepers for South Sudan
• Norway's Hilde F. Johnson heads new UN Mission in South Sudan
• Netanyahu announces Israeli recognition of South Sudan
• The Republic of South Sudan's National Anthem

Full details in eleven reports copied here below.

SOUTH SUDAN DECLARES INDEPENDENCE
Report by XINHUA [via www.chinadaily.com.cn]

Sunday, 10 July 2011; 14:44 - (Juba) - The Republic of South Sudan declared independence Saturday, waiting to be recognized as the 193rd member of the United Nations and hoping to keep peace with the north after decades of war.

Speaker of South Sudan Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga read the Proclamation of the Independence of South Sudan, sparking wild cheers of hundreds of thousands of people who gathered at the Mausoleum of John Garang, the late leader of the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

Based on the will of the people of South Sudan, and as confirmed by the outcome of the referendum of self-determination, we "hereby declare South Sudan to be an independent and sovereign nation," Igga said.

The new state would be a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional character, and it is committed to establishing friendly relations with all countries "including the Republic of Sudan", Igga said.

The ecstatic crowd drummed and danced. Many burst into tears when the national flag of South Sudan was hoisted. Slogans of "South Sudan Oyee" and "Freedom Oyee" were shouted repeatedly by hundreds of thousands of people.

Salva Kiir Mayardit took the oath of office as President of the new republic after he signed the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir stood beside Kiir to watch the military parade led by the Sudan People's Liberation Army, who had fought decades of war with the Sudanese government troops.

"Finally we are independent. Millions of lives have not been lost in vain," SPLA Chief of Staff General James Hoth Mai told Xinhua.

"We want to keep peace with the north and we are confident to guard our people."

"There is no battle in the border areas today although the situation in the contested Abyei region is still tense," he said.

"As a newly founded nation, we want to communicate with all the members of the international community," he said, "We have oil, fertile land and brave people, but we have no skills or infrastructure. We need the world to help us develop from almost zero."

Senior officials including United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and representatives from the Arab League, African Union and European Union spoke at the ceremony.

Ban commended in his speech Kiir and Bashir for the "difficult decisions and compromises," but said that Sudan and South Sudan have not yet resolved all of their political issues and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the two sides in 2005 have not be completed. The status of the contentious border region of Abyei remains unsettled.

"Let their differences be resolved around the negotiating table, " Ban said.

Jiang Weixin, a special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, noted at the ceremony that the birth of South Sudan is the achievement of peaceful process that ended the longest civil war in Africa and successful referendum where Southern people choose independence.

"There are still on-going negotiations on some unsettled issues between South Sudan and Sudan. We believe that the two sides would put peace first and solve the issues through negotiations and consultations based on mutual understanding," he said. "We sincerely hope South Sudan and Sudan would be good neighbors, partners and brothers forever."

Bashir, who saw Sudan's status as Africa's largest country to become history, said Khartoum recognized South Sudan, asserting "the will of the people of the south must be respected."

Bashir pointedly called on marking the independence ceremony for building positive and distinguishing relations and ties binding Sudan and South Sudan. He also praised mediatory efforts have been exerting by African countries and the international community.

Bashir called U.S. President Barack Obama, who said the US formally recognized the new state, to lift sanctions imposed on Sudan.

Public celebrations still continued across Juba as jubilant crowds played music as of Saturday night.

The two rivals north and south had battled two civil wars over more than half a century. The later one, from 1983 to 2005, was the longest civil war in Africa, killing and injuring millions of people. Still more people were forced to fled to other countries.

During the referendum to decide the fate of unity or division of Sudan in January this year, nearly 99 percent of the voters approve the secession of the south from Sudan. The result was recognized by the Sudanese government and the international community, paving the way for the south's independence on July 9.

Despite the public jubilance on the independence day, South Sudan is facing serious challenges on its way of development.

With almost the same size as France, South Sudan has only 100 km of paved roads. The newest country is oil-rich but has no refinery or process industry. Among the total population of 8 million, about 80 percent even do not have access to toilet facility, and nearly a half has access to improved sources of drinking water, according to UN figures.

The human resources are poor as only 70 percent of the population is illiterate. More than 80 percent of women cannot read or write. Few people have skills related to its backbone oil industry.

"We are far behind, we must now commit all our energies to socio-economic development of our country," said Kiir in his speech. "Let us celebrate now but the work of nation building must begin immediately."

He said South Sudan will embrace public-private-partnership in rebuilding the country. The government will prioritize public interest and anyone seeking personal interests will not have a place in it, he said, adding that transparency and accountability will be pivotal.

"South Sudan will not be a failed state," he said.

PHOTO: South Sudan's President Salva Kiir (L) and Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir attend the Independence Day ceremony in South Sudan's capital Juba July 09, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] Click here to view photo.

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SSLA SPEAKER DECLARES ROSS AN INDEPENDENT STATE
Report by SRS (Sudan Radio Service) www.sudanradio.org

Saturday, 09 July 2011 - (Juba) - The speaker of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly, James Wani Igga, on Saturday declared southern Sudan an independent state.

Wani Igga announced the independent state of South Sudan in Juba at the Doctor John Garang Mausoleum where the celebrations were being held on Sartuday.

[Wani Igga]: “We the democratically elected representatives of the people, based on the will of the people of Southern Sudan. And as conformed by the outcome of the referendum of self-determination hereby declare Southern Sudan to be an independent and sovereign state. With full international legal personality to be known henceforth as the Republic of South Sudan.”

Wani Igga stressed that the Republic of South Sudan will respect the human rights of all Southern Sudanese.

The celebrations was attended by dignitaries from the international community including US envoy to the UN, Susan Rice, UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon and president Omar al-Bashir among others.

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PRESIDENT OMAR HASSAN AL-BASHIR ACKNOWLEDGES SOUTH'S INDEPENDENCE
Report by SRS (Sudan Radio Service) www.sudanradio.org

Saturday, 09 July 2011 - (Juba) - The President of the Republic of Sudan, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir officially acknowledged the formation of the new Republic of South Sudan.

Bashir spoke during the Independence celebration of the Republic of South Sudan, in Juba on Saturday.

[Omar al-Bashir] “We have continued on this path for the sake of maintaining peace, and even though we hoped for the unity of the country, but for the sake of peace, we recognized the separation of the South from the united Sudan, which then led to the formation of a new country, that we (the government) have formally recognized yesterday in Khartoum the new Republic of South Sudan.”

Bashir reiterated his government’s commitment to assist, the Republic of South Sudan.

[Omar al-Bashir] “We are ready to assist the new born republic of South Sudan, in all areas namely technical and administrative. We are also ready to assist them with services alongside other things which the people of the new republic will request of us. Some people predicted that we might stand on the way of the referendum exercise, but that didn’t happen as the referendum took place peacefully. And when the results were released, some thought we might choose not to recognize the results, but we have recognized the loud voices of the southerners, who had freely chosen their destiny”

Bashir stressed that the two countries will work together for the sake of peaceful co-existence.

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SALVA KIIR SAYS INDEPENDENCE OF SOUTH IS TIMELESS HISTORY
Report by SRS (Sudan Radio Service) www.sudanradio.org

Saturday, 09 July 2011 - (Juba) - The President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit said the Independence of the south will remain a historic day for generations to come.

Speaking during the celebrations of the South Sudan Independence in Juba, Salva Kiir Mayardit said that the south has finally achieved its freedom.

President Kiir reiterated his pardon to southern rebel leaders urging them to join the government in a bid to develop the new nation.

He said the flag of South Sudan remains a symbol of Freedom, Democracy and Peace to the people of Southern Sudan.

President Kiir thanked the President of the Republic of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir for recognizing South Sudan as a sovereign state.

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UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON TELLS NORTH AND SOUTH TO CONTINUE GOOD RELATIONS
Report by SRS (Sudan Radio Service) www.sudanradio.org

Saturday, 09 July 2011 - (Juba) - The UN secretary General Ban Kimoon has called for a continued cooperation between North and South Sudan for peace to prevail in the region.

Kimoon was speaking at the celebrations of the independence of the republic of south Sudan in Juba on Saturday. While commending both regions for their commitment to peace, Kimoon called on President Omar Al-Bashir and President Salva Kiir to ensure a full implementation of the outstanding issues in the CPA.

[Ban Ki-Moon]: “President Salva Kiir, President Omar Al-Bashir, I commend you both for having come so far. Both of you have made difficult decisions and compromises. Seeing both of you here today testifies your common commitment to peace and partnership. This is why we are here today, because we are committed to helping southern Sudan to attain its future. As we look into the future, we must recognize the past as well. It’s a big opportunity to renew commitments to face the future as partners not rival. With this in mind, we do know that some key prospects of the peace process have not been completed. The referendum in Abyei is yet to take place. The voices of the people in southern Kordofan and Blue Nile are not yet heard in popular consultation”

Kimoon also thanked the African Union for its contribution to Sudan’s achievements, and promised that the UN will continue its support to south Sudan, to help the new state catch up with the rest of the developed countries in Africa and the world as a whole.

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LEADERS CALL ON NORTH AND SOUTH SUDAN TO CONTINUE COOPERATION
Report by SRS (Sudan Radio Service) www.sudanradio.org

Saturday, 09 July 2011 - (Juba) - Leaders from all over the world have called on the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan to work towards solving pending issues in the CPA.

Speaking during the South Sudan’s independence day celebrations at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum in Juba on Saturday, a representative of the People’s Republic of China, Jiang Weixin, said that continued negotiations is vital for both countries even after the South’s independence.

[Jiang Weixin]: “There are still on-going negotiations concerning some pending issues between south sudan and sudan. Behind those issues are complicated historical factors and many practical concerns. We believe that the two sides will bear in mind the overall interest of peace and continue to engage in negotiations and consultation to address those issues on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation. We sincerely hope that south sudan and sudan will be good neighbors, good partners, and good brothers forever.”

The leaders also called on the President of the Republic of South Sudan to ensure peace in order for the new state to develop.

In his speech, the President of the Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasongo stressed that the two presidents must continue to work together for economic growth in both regions.

[Obiang Nguema Mbasogo]: “This great moment has actually brought to an end all the differences that existed in the past. And we sincerely hope that now you will match forward to establishing peace to all communities. We also ask the president of south sudan and his government to work earnestly for his people with all the neighboring nations for peace and development of this new nation that has just come to be. Long live south sudan.”

Today marks the independence day of the Republic of South Sudan.

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NISS TO COOPERATE WITH SECURITY ORGANS IN THE SOUTH TO MAINTAIN SECURITY AND PEACE
Report by SRS (Sudan Radio Service) www.sudanradio.org

Friday, 01 July 2011 - (Karari) - The Sudan National Intelligence and Security Service or NISS says it will continue to collaborate with the new Republic of South Sudan's security organs to maintain security and peace in the region.

The Chief of NISS, Mohamed Atta al-Mawla, was speaking during the graduation of about seventy NISS officers in northern Sudan on Thursday.

[Mohamed Atta]: "In one week’s time, our brothers in the south are going to leave us, according to their will and rights they had expressed in southern Sudan referendum 6 months ago. We will continue our methods with them as two co-operative and reconciled countries. We will give them our support without any bad intention and without excessiveness or exceeding our limit."

Atta stressed that the SA, security and Police officers will maintain peace and security as southern Sudan becomes independent next week.

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THE SOUTH AND NORTH HAVE AGREED TO DEPLOY ETHIOPIAN TROOPS IN ABYEI
Report by SRS (Sudan Radio Service) www.sudanradio.org

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 - (Juba) - The South, North and the Ethiopian government have agreed to dispatch a team of about three thousand highly equipped Ethiopian peacekeeping troops to Abyei area this month.

The decision to deploy Ethiopian forces into Abyei was reached on Tuesday following the agreement between North and South governments to demilitarize the region and allow civilians to return to their homes.

SPLA spokesperson, Colonel Phillip Aguer Panyang told SRS in Juba on Wednesday that the army supports the deployment of a neutral body in Abyei to act as a buffer zone between the North and the South.

[Philip Aguer]: “The Ethiopians suggested representing the U-N peacekeeping in Abyei, so that is the suggestion but the details of the implementation and the mechanisms of the implementation are not yet clearer. The idea of principle is to be accepted by the government of southern Sudan, we are just implementers; the army doesn’t object or accept - they implement what the government decides. So we are just ready to implement whatever will come out from the government representatives.”

Colonel Aguer further accused UNMIS of failing twice to protect civilians in Abyei during attacks by Sudan Armed Forces.

He said he is hopeful the new peacekeeping forces will be mandated to protect civilians at all cost in Abyei region.

[Philip Aguer]: “As you have seen UNMIS, twice they have failed to protect the people of Abyei, and after this the UN is trying to strengthen their mandates. So the coming of a UN mission team in form of Ethiopians or other forces will have a stronger mandate, so they will be capable of protecting the civil population of Abyei. You have seen how the regime in Khartoum is unpredictable, you can hear them talk positively today and tomorrow they will talk other things.”

The new agreement on temporary arrangements for administration and security in Abyei signed by the two parties is said to open up room for more dialogue as South Sudan awaits its declaration of independence in less than three weeks’ time.

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U.N. APPROVES 7,000 PEACEKEEPERS FOR SOUTH SUDAN - HILDE JOHNSON HEADS NEW U.N. MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN

"U.N. approves 7,000 peacekeepers for South Sudan"
Report by EDITH M. LEDERER for Associated Press (AP)
[via news.yahoo.com]

Friday, 08 July 2011 - (United Nations) - The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a new peacekeeping force for South Sudan on Friday, assuring the world's newest nation on the eve of its independence of military and police support to help maintain peace and security.

The council authorized the deployment of up to 7,000 military personnel and 900 international police, plus an unspecified number of U.N. civilian staff including human rights experts.

The council acted ahead of independence celebrations on Saturday in South Sudan's capital Juba when the mainly ethnic African south officially breaks away from the Arab-dominated north whose capital is in Khartoum.

South Sudan's independence is the culmination of a 2005 peace deal that ended more than two decades of civil war but there are fears the conflict could be reignited because troops from the north and south are facing off in the contested oil-rich border region of Abyei. Northern troops and forces loyal to the south are also fighting in Southern Kordofan, a state just over the border in the north.

"This is a strong signal of support to the new South Sudan," Germany's U.N. Ambassador Peter Wittig, the current council president, said after the vote. "The council believed that this was a substantial contribution to the security challenges facing South Sudan."

He said the Security Council is expected to give South Sudan another vote of confidence on July 13 by recommending its membership in the United Nations. The General Assembly is expected to approve South Sudan as the U.N.'s 193rd member state the following day.

Diplomats said Russian concerns about authorizing a mission before South Sudan becomes independent were overcome by stating in the opening sentence that the Security Council welcomes it as a state when independence is proclaimed on July 9.

The resolution establishes a new United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan on July 9 for an initial period of one year. It calls for reviews after three months and six months to determine if conditions on the ground would allow the military contingent to be reduced from 7,000 to 6,000 troops.

It gives the U.N. mission, to be known as UNMISS, a mandate "to consolidate peace and security, and to help establish the conditions for development ... with a view to strengthening the capacity of the government of the Republic of South Sudan to govern effectively and democratically and establish good relations with its neighbors."

The resolution specifically authorizes the mission to support the new government on its political transition, issues of governance and establishing state authority throughout the country, and to advise it on "an inclusive constitutional process," holding elections, and establishing an independent media.

It authorizes U.N. peacekeepers to support the government in preventing conflict and demobilizing combatants, to conduct patrols in areas at high risk of conflict, and to protect civilians "under imminent threat of physical violence." It also authorizes the mission to cooperate with U.N. agencies in supporting the government in peace-building activities, including promoting development, the rule of law, security and justice.

The U.N. has had a 10,400-strong peacekeeping force, known as UNMIS, monitoring implementation of the 2005 north-south agreement, which operates on both sides of the border. Its mandate expires Saturday.

Diplomats said late Friday that Security Council members were close to agreement on a resolution to wind down UNMIS, and it could be approved over the weekend.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon proposed a three-month extension to UNMIS but the Khartoum government rejected any extension and said it wanted all U.N. troops out of the north.

Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations have been private, said the five permanent Security Council nations — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France — jointly asked the Sudanese government earlier this week to allow a U.N. presence in the north after South Sudan breaks away.

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, who will be leading the American delegation to South Sudan's independence ceremonies, said Thursday in Washington that many council members still are trying to persuade Sudan's leaders to keep a U.N. presence.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who stopped in Khartoum Friday en route to Juba for the independence celebration, again urged the Sudanese government to extend the UNMIS mandate "at least until the situation calms down" and to end the confrontation in Southern Kordofan.

Ban also announced the appointment of Hilde Johnson, a former Norwegian Cabinet minister and the current deputy executive director of the U.N. children's agency, UNICEF, as head of the new U.N. mission in South Sudan — a move welcomed by the Security Council.

Leaders from the north and south signed an agreement on June 20 to demilitarize Abyei and allow and Ethiopian peacekeeping force to move and a week later the Security Council authorized the deployment of 4,200 Ethiopian troops in Abyei for six months.

One unresolved issue is future responsibility for monitoring the north-south border.

The governments of both Sudans signed an agreement on border security on June 29 and the resolution calls on the parties to propose arrangements for border monitoring by July 20. If they fail to do so, the resolution requests the new U.N. mission in South Sudan "to observe and report on any flow of personnel, arms and related materiel across the border with Sudan."

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NETANYAHU ANNOUNCES ISRAELI RECOGNITION OF SOUTH SUDAN
Report by JPOST.COM STAFF, HERB KEINON AND REUTERS
[via www.jpost.com]

Sunday, 10 July 2011 - Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday announced Israel's recognition of South Sudan, which declared its independence on Saturday.

"Yesterday, a new state was born, South Sudan. I hereby announce that Israel recognizes the Republic of South Sudan," Netanyahu said during the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. "We wish it success. This is a peace-seeking country and we would be pleased to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and its prosperity."

During the meeting, Interior Minister Eli Yishai said the creation of South Sudan will make it easier on Israel to send back Sudanese refugees, and that the government should hold diplomatic talks with the new country over the issue.

Tens of thousands of South Sudanese danced and cheered as their new country formally declared its independence on Saturday.

The independence of the state capped a hard-won separation from the north that also plunged the fractured region into a new period of uncertainty.

Israel has reportedly already established contact with government authorities in Sudan and has cooperated on issues relating to agriculture, economics and security.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir was quoted in October as saying that he did not rule out the establishment of “good relations” with Israel, including the opening of an Israeli Embassy in Juba, the country’s capital. He was also quoted as saying that Israel “is the enemy of the Palestinians only, and not an enemy of the South.” He hinted at the time of recognition of Israel.

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THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN'S NATIONAL ANTHEM
Here below are the lyrics of the anthem for the Republic of South Sudan. [Hat tip: Xan Rice guardian.co.uk Friday, 08 July 2011]

Click here or here to listen to the anthem uploaded at YouTube by emmaa549 on 20 June 2011.

Click here to view video of the Speaker of South Sudan Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga reading the Proclamation of the Independence of South Sudan, uploaded at YouTube by Laseranthem on Saturday, 10 July 2011.

Oh God!

We praise and glorify you

For your grace on South Sudan

Land of great abundance

Uphold us united in peace and harmony


Oh motherland!

We rise raising flag with the guiding star

And sing songs of freedom with joy

For justice, liberty and prosperity

Shall forevermore reign


Oh great patriots!

Let us stand up in silence and respect

Saluting our martyrs whose blood

Cemented our national foundation

We vow to protect our nation


Oh God, bless South Sudan!
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UPDATE:
From Twitter / sudanunit 09 July 2011 15:45:
If you missed it, here's a video of the moment the flag was raised in South Sudan, in front of huge crowd in Juba http://t.co/CGT0df8

News Roundup: Jubilation as final referendum results favour secession, Bashir accepts results - Mbeki AUHIP congratulates Sudanese leaders

SOUTH SUDAN referendum ended on Monday 07 February 2011 with the official announcement of the results which indicated that 98.83 percent of the voters have voted for separation.

The celebration for the announcement of the final result of the referendum was attended by a number of regional and international personalities including head of the Africa Union (AU) Panel on Sudan Thabo Mbeki, UN Representative in Sudan Haile Menkerios, Arab League (AL) representative, and European Union (EU) representative together with representatives of the diplomatic missions in Sudan and others.

"We have received the result and we heartily accept it because it expresses the will of the south Sudan citizens," said Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir. Mr Bashir further issued a Republican Decree accepting the final results of south Sudan referendum.

President of South Sudan government Salva Kiir Mayardit stressed the importance of building strong relations between north and south Sudan, adding that the border between the north will be only borders on paper, and it will be a soft border.

He urged the international community to reward Al-Bashir and the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) for their remarkable role in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which was inked between north and south Sudan in 2005.

After 9 July there will be two new countries in present day Sudan. Each will need a new constitution and new politics.

Note that the UN hails South’s vote for independence, but cautions on tasks ahead. Also, the Secretary-General’s Panel which he appointed to monitor the referendum, noted in a statement that the tone of media coverage and public statements from senior government officials improved as the voting neared. “In spite of political uncertainty and some security incidents during the referendum period, and sometimes inadequate efforts to inform voters about their rights and options, the Panel concludes that voters were able to express their will freely,” it said.

Further details and news roundup here below.

Quotes of the Day

"We have received the result and we heartily accept it because it expresses the will of the South Sudan citizens. Today is one of the defining moments of the Sudan. While we congratulate our people in southern Sudan for their choice, we hope that today’s event will be the departure point between war and peace in Sudan, not a departure point between unity and separation" -Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir

Al-Bashir further issued a Republican Decree accepting the final results of South Sudan referendum. "The Presidency hereby declares its respect for the option of the people of the south, and our acceptance of the outcome of the referendum. The Presidency renews its resolve to move forward in order to sustain peace, development and stability, work to resolve the remaining outstanding issues and build positive and constructive relationships between the two parts of the country," the decree read.

In the meantime, the Sudanese Council of Ministers on Monday approved South Sudan referendum result in an extraordinary session chaired by Al-Bashir in presence of his two Vice-Presidents Salva Kiir Mayardit and Ali Osman Mohamed Taha.

President of South Sudan government Salva Kiir Mayardit, addressing the council's session, said “The secession of the south from the rest of Sudan is not the end of the road. It does not mean that we are going to be enemies; instead we should now build strong relations between us, like what was said by the president before that the border between the north will be only borders on paper, and it will be a soft border. Again the north and the south, will be sharing common interests that will unite them, and the president has mentioned all these things. For example the security issues will concern all of us, because any threat to the north will be a threat to the south as well, and vice versa.”

Sudanese Minister of Information Kamal Obaid told reporters following the council's session that the council approved the result and congratulated the people of South Sudan for their option. It affirmed the meanings for which the president has called in a number of occasions on continuation in supporting the south until it completes the conditions required for the establishment of the state on July 9, 2011.

"I am proud that we have been able to defy the doubters, with a calm vote – a clear show of everyone's heartfelt wish for peace" -Sudanese citizen and presenter at Radio Bakhita, Morri Francis.

"The young will go to the bars, but there are many like me who will remember the cost of this achievement, the deaths of so many of our people” -Sudanese citizen and widow Mary Akoch.

"We don't dream of fighting in the bush anymore. We have had enough," says Brig. Gen. Dor, one of the most highly educated men in the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the South's ruling party. "Of course fighting is still relevant. We avoid war by preparing for it and we will continue to do that, but we also have to branch out. Now we need conventional skills, too, like how to sit in offices and make things function." - CSMonitor.com

"After 9 July there will be two new countries in present day Sudan. Each will need a new constitution and new politics. This is an exciting time during which all parties and political leaders are making choices that will profoundly affect the lives of millions. Talk in both Juba and Khartoum is of dialogue, reaching out to opponents, broad-based government, accountability, freedoms and rights and the devolution of powers" -Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan Nicholas Kay CMG

Sources: See reports below, followed by further reading including news report from UN News Centre entitled "UN hails South’s vote for independence, but cautions on tasks ahead".



Photo: As the result was confirmed, crowds in Juba, South Sudan began dancing and cheering (Credit: AP/BBC)

South Sudan celebrates as independence vote confirmed
Report by Peter Martell, BBC News, Juba, S. Sudan - www.bbc.co.uk
Published Date: Monday, 07 February 2011 at 20:56. Full copy:

The speakers were crackly and the outdoor cinema screen flickered.

Those at the back in the dark of the giant thousand-strong crowd could hardly make out what was being said.

But for the southerners gathered to watch the results of their historic independence referendum, only one message mattered: the confirmation that the south will become a nation of its own.

As the result was confirmed, that 98.83% of the voters had backed independence, those at the front leapt up, waving flags and cheering.

Those at the back, hearing the shouts of delight, began to dance.

"We are free, we have won our independence!" shouted former soldier William Machar.

"This is our moment in history, when we watch our baby-nation being born."

People in the southern capital of Juba flocked to the grave of former rebel leader John Garang, the first president of the south, to hear the results broadcast live from Khartoum.

Hundreds sat on plastic chairs, craning their heads forward to hear the historic words.

'Happy birthday'

The atmosphere was electric.

One woman, like hundreds of others, waved a southern flag.

"This is the symbol of the 193rd country in the world," she shouted, followed by an ear-splitting ululation.

One group of young men came with candles rammed into plastic drink bottles, pre-emptively welcoming in the birth of the new nation.

"Happy birthday our country, happy birthday Southern Sudan," they sang, arms draped around each other in celebration.



The south is not due to declare formal independence until 9 July.

"I was born in war, and I grew up as a soldier," said Robert Duk, a student. "So for me to see this day, something I dreamed of but never could believe, is something I find hard to put into words."

'Great relief'

Despite the excitement following the result, people quickly sat down to listen to the next speech, intent on hearing all that was said.

"This is what happens when you oppress and marginalise a people for over 50 years," said Puok Dieu, who fought in the civil war. "One day those people will rise up and say: 'It is enough.'"

"The results of the referendum mean I am free today," said Abiong Nyok, a housewife. "Now I am a first-class citizen in my own country."

The crowd was in a mood to party.

"We are going to take to the streets and celebrate until dawn," said Peter Deng, a youth leader. "All us here grew up during the war, so we are so happy to be celebrating our freedom in peace."

But away from the live screening in the centre, Juba seemed quiet.

Many in the south have already privately been celebrating the results, which have filtered out in recent days.

"We in the south never had any doubt what the results would be," said Alfred Juma, a teacher.

"But it is a great relief to hear it confirmed, and to hear that the north have accepted it too."

Others however were more reflective.

"We will celebrate at home," said Mary Akoch, a widow whose husband died in the two-decades of conflict.

"The young will go to the bars, but there are many like me who will remember the cost of this achievement, the deaths of so many of our people, so many of those who we loved."

Sudan: A country divided



Photo by Nasa: The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. Southern Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest. (Caption by BBC)
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Sudan: South Sudan referendum ends with results of separation
Report by Xinhua - Editor: yan - english.peopledaily.com
Reprinted at The Muslim News - www.muslimnews.co.uk
Published Date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011. Full copy:

(KHARTOUM) - South Sudan referendum ended on Monday with the official announcement of the results which indicated that 98.83 percent of the voters have voted for separation.

South Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) Chairman Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil said 3,792,518 voters voted in favor of separation while 44,888 voted for unity.

He explained that the total number of eligible voters amounted to 3,851,994 and that the number of valid votes amounted to 3,837, 406.

Khalil said 3,724,194 voted in south Sudan and 3,697,467 of them voted for separation, while 16,129 opted for unity.

The number of voters in north Sudan amounted to 69,597, of whom 38,003 voted for separation. In the eight overseas countries, 58, 230 cast ballots and 57,048 of them voted for separation.

The celebration for the announcement of the final result of the referendum was attended by a number of regional and international personalities including head of the Africa Union (AU) Panel on Sudan Thabo Mbeki, UN Representative in Sudan Haile Menkerios, Arab League (AL) representative, and European Union (EU) representative together with representatives of the diplomatic missions in Sudan and others.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir earlier in the day declared acceptance of the referendum results which were submitted by the SSRC to the Sudanese presidency.

"We have received the result and we heartily accept it because it expresses the will of the south Sudan citizens," said al-Bashir.

Al-Bashir further issued a Republican Decree accepting the final results of south Sudan referendum.

"The Presidency hereby declares its respect for the option of the people of the south, and our acceptance of the outcome of the referendum. The Presidency renews its resolve to move forward in order to sustain peace, development and stability, work to resolve the remaining outstanding issues and build positive and constructive relationships between the two parts of the country," the decree read.

In the meantime, the Sudanese Council of Ministers on Monday approved south Sudan referendum result in an extraordinary session chaired by al-Bashir in presence of his two Vice-Presidents Salva Kiir Mayardit and Ali Osman Mohamed Taha.

Sudanese Minister of Information Kamal Obaid told reporters following the council's session that the council approved the result and congratulated the people of south Sudan for their option. It affirmed the meanings for which the president has called in a number of occasions on continuation in supporting the south until it completes the conditions required for the establishment of the state on July 9, 2011.

President of South Sudan government Salva Kiir Mayardit, addressing the council's session, said "separation is not the end of the road and we will not be enemies."

He further stressed the importance of building strong relations between the two sides, adding that the borders between north and south Sudan would be only on papers.

He urged the international community to reward the al-Bashir and the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) for their remarkable role in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which was inked between north and south Sudan in 2005.

"The person who does good things must be rewarded, " he said. " Sanctions imposed on Sudan must be lifted, Sudan's name must be removed from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism and its external debts should be exempted."

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General's Panel on the Referenda in Sudan on Monday welcomed the official announcement of the final results of the south Sudan referendum.

"The Panel believes that the referendum's outcome reflects the free will of the people of south Sudan and that the process as a whole was free, fair and credible," the panel said in a statement.

South Sudan referendum was conducted between Jan. 9 and Jan. 15, 2010, which constituted a major item in the CPA, which ended around two-decade civil war between the two sides.
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Jubilation as final referendum results favor secession, Bashir accepts results
Report by SRS - Sudan Radio Service - www.sudanradio.org
Published Date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011. Full copy:

8 February 2011 – (Khartoum) – Southern Sudanese celebrated on Monday night as they welcomed the final announcement of the independence referendum results.

The Dr. John Garang Mausoleum in Juba was jam-packed with excited citizens who watched the announcement on large television screens being relayed live from Khartoum.

After hours of waiting, the crowds broke into song, dance and ululation when the final results indicated that more than 98 percent of southern Sudanese voted for independence.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the SSRC, Professor Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil at the Friendship Palace in Khartoum on Monday evening.

[Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil]: “The number of those who voted for unity was “44,888” and those who voted for secession were “3,792,518” that is scoring the percentage of “1.17 %” for unity and the percentage of “98.83%” for secession respectively out of the votes cast.”

The official announcement of the referendum results was attended by diplomats and senior government officials.

Earlier in the day, the chairman of the southern Sudan Referendum Commission officially handed over the results to President Omar Al Bashir and his two vice Presidents, Salva Kiir, and Ali Osman Taha respectively.

Addressing an extra-ordinary Council of Ministers meeting in Khartoum, President al-Bashir affirmed his acceptance of the final results of the southern Sudan referendum.

[Omar al-Bashir]: “Today is one of the defining moments of the Sudan. While we congratulate our people in southern Sudan for their choice, we hope that today’s event will be the departure point between war and peace in Sudan, not a departure point between unity and separation.”

Addressing the same Council of ministers meeting, first Vice President of the republic and GOSS President Salva Kiir Mayardit said the referendum results outline the popular will of the people of southern Sudan. But he added that south and north Sudan will continue to depend on each other.

[Salva Kiir]: “The secession of the south from the rest of Sudan is not the end of the road. It does not mean that we are going to be enemies; instead we should now build strong relations between us, like what was said by the president before that the border between the north will be only borders on paper, and it will be a soft border. Again the north and the south, will be sharing common interests that will unite them, and the president has mentioned all these things. For example the security issues will concern all of us, because any threat to the north will be a threat to the south as well, and vice versa.”

Southern Sudan will fully become an independent state on July 9th. The U.S government already says that it will recognize the independence of southern Sudan.
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AUHIP lauds Sudanese leaders in the implementation of the referendum
Report by SRS - Sudan Radio Service - www.sudanradio.org
Published Date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011. Full copy:

8 February 2011 – (Khartoum) – The chairperson of the African Union High Implementation Panel says that the successful conduct of the southern Sudan self-determination referendum is a clear indication that northern and southern Sudan will continue to co-exist peacefully.

The AUHIP congratulated the Sudanese leaders for their commitment in safeguarding the CPA up to the referendum which was one of the crucial provisions of the CPA.

Addressing Sudanese leaders and diplomats shortly after the announcement of the final referendum results in Khartoum on Monday, the AUHIP chairperson, Thabo Mbeki said the success of the referendum in Sudan will help promote democracy in Africa.

[Thabo Mbeki]: “This success confirms the commitment of the Sudanese people and leaders never to return to war. And if at all to resolve any differences that may arise, exclusively by peaceful means. It continuous to say that, Sudan has the utmost importance to the African continent. It spells the diversity of our continent bringing our people together in a great melting pot. And the achievement of peace and democracy and development in southern and northern Sudan promise to help lift the entire continent.”

Thabo Mbeki added that although the referendum attested Africa’s ability to resolve conflicts in the continent and achieve its common goal, the people Sudan should continue nurturing peace in both independent states.

[Thabo Mbeki]: “Sudanese ability to overcome the formidable obstacles in its path stands as the testament to Africa capacity to resolve it conflict and achieve our common goals. And conversely African cannot afford to see Sudan plunged into war again. We express African solidarity with the entire Sudanese people and welcome equally north and south Sudan in emerging post referendum issues as building pots for the ongoing projects of African integration.”

Thabo Mbeki urged the SPLM and the NCP to swiftly settle the remaining items in the post-referendum arrangements.
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FULL TEXT: Thabo Mbeki Congratulates Sudan
REMARKS BY THABO MBEKI, AUHIP CHAIRPERSON, AT THE CEREMONY TO ANNOUNCE THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE SOUTH SUDAN REFERENDUM: KHARTOUM, FEBRUARY 7, 2011.
Click here to read full text at Alex de Waal's blog Making Sense of Sudan - ssrc.org - Posted on Tuesday, 08 February 2011 at 2:18 am.
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FULL TEXT: AU calls upon UN Security Council to suspend any actions agains Sudanese President Al Bashir by the ICC
The African Union calls upon the UN Security Council immediately to invoke Article 16 of the Rome Statute and suspend any actions against President Al Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC):
SOLEMN DECLARATION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE AFRICAN UNION ON SUDAN
Click here to read full text at Alex de Waal's blog Making Sense of Sudan - ssrc.org - Posted on Tuesday, 01 February 2011 at 3:52 am

[Note from Sudan Watch Editor: For reasons stated in this blog Sudan Watch many times before, I fully support the work of the AU and any calls upon the UN Security Council to invoke Article 16 of the Rome Statute and stop any actions against Sudanese President Al Bashir by the ICC]
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EU hails final results of Southern Sudan referendum
Report by Xinhua - english.peopledaily.com
Published date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011 at 15:16. Full copy:

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Monday hailed the "historic moment for Sudan" upon the announcement of the final results of an independence referendum in Southern Sudan.

She praised the January referendum as "timely and credible," saying it "resoundingly expressed" the determination of the people of Southern Sudan to establish an independent state.

An overwhelming majority of registered voters participated in the vote overseen by the Electoral Observation Mission.

"The EU fully respects the outcome of the referendum as a true reflection of the democratically expressed wishes of the people of Southern Sudan," Ashton said.

The EU looks forward to developing a "close and long-term partnership" with Southern Sudan, which is set to become a new state by July according to a peace agreement, Ashton added.

The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) announced earlier in the day the final results of the vote, saying over 98 percent of the voters have chosen to stand for separation of the region. Source: Xinhua
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UK PM statement on the outcome of the referendum on Southern Sudan
Statement from Number10.gov.uk - The official site of the UK Prime Minister's Office
Date published: Monday, 07 February 2011
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has issued a statement on the outcome of the referendum on Southern Sudan. Full copy:

The Prime Minister said:

‘”I welcome today’s announcement of the results of the referendum on Southern Sudan.

“This moment is testament to the leaders in both North and South Sudan who ensured a credible and peaceful process. I particularly welcome the positive reaction of the government in Khartoum and their clear statements that they will respect the wishes of the South to secede from the North and establish an independent nation.

“North and South now need to work together to implement the remaining provisions of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ahead of its conclusion on 9 July 2011. The United Kingdom will continue to support that process strongly as a new chapter in its relations with the peoples of both North and Southern Sudan emerges”.
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David Cameron and Ban Ki-moon in London



Photo: UK Prime Minister David Cameron talking with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Photo taken at Number 10 on Wednesday, 02 February 2011. Source: The Prime Minister's Office's photostream at www.flickr.com
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Canada to recognize southern Sudan: Harper
Report by AFP reprinted at www.google.com
Published date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011. Full copy:

(OTTAWA) — Canada will recognize southern Sudan as an independent state later this year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday as he praised its landmark independence referendum.

The referendum was "a historic moment for the country" and a "critical step" toward peace, said Harper, adding: "Canada is prepared to recognize southern Sudan when it becomes an independent state in July of this year."

Final results announced Monday showed that 98.83 percent of southern Sudanese had voted to secede from the north, paving the way for the declaration of a new state in July.

The January referendum was the centrepiece of a 2005 peace deal that ended a devastating 22-year conflict between the largely African Christian south and mainly Arab Muslim north.

Harper said Canada, which so far contributed 800 million dollars for humanitarian assistance, development and peace-building in Sudan, stands ready to assist the parties "in charting their post-referendum future."
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US to recognise south Sudan, says Obama
Desmond Tutu and other members of global statesmen group welcome vote
Report by AFP reprinted at Daily Nation - www.nation.co.ke
Published date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011 at 18:32. Full copy:

(WASHINGTON, Tuesday) - The United States said yesterday it will recognise south Sudan as the world’s newest nation as it moved to reward the north for its cooperation by taking it off a terrorism blacklist.

Just hours after results from a referendum showed that 98.83 per cent of southern Sudan favoured secession, President Barack Obama announced that the United States would recognise it as a “sovereign, independent state” in July.

“On behalf of the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of southern Sudan for a successful and inspiring referendum in which an overwhelmingly majority of voters chose independence,” Mr Obama said.

“After decades of conflict, the images of millions of southern Sudanese voters deciding their own future was an inspiration to the world and another step forward in Africa’s long journey toward justice and democracy,” Mr Obama said in a statement.

In Cape Town, Nobel peace prize winner Desmond Tutu and other members of a group of global statesmen known as The Elders today praised the landmark vote.

“This referendum was a remarkable expression of hope by the people. I was very moved by their determination to vote; some walked for days to do so,” said Tutu in a statement issued by The Elders.

“Everyone who took part should be praised for ensuring that voters were able to exercise their rights freely. I applaud the people for their peaceful participation and their remarkably high turnout to vote.” (AFP)
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International, Regional Approval for Secession, Announcement of New State

Extracts from report by Sudan Vision Daily, Wednesday, 09 February 2011:

France calls for continuation of dialogue post referendum
French President Nicola Sarkozy welcomed announcement of final outcomes of Sudan's referendum, calling on concerned parties to continue dialogue post referendum. French Presidency issued statement congratulating south Sudan citizens on participating in the historic referendum, in addition to congratulating parties to CPA for conducting vote as scheduled. Sarkozy affirmed that France is committed to support all Sudanese parties to pass transitional period peacefully.

AL Welcomes final results
Ambassador Mohammad Monsif from the Arab League (AL) welcomed final outputs announced yesterday. He affirmed that AL is keen on preserving peace and stability in Sudan, adding AL is to participate in resolving post referendum issues. He added that the referendum has been impartial, credible and free according to international standards as AL has participated in observing the vote.

CO lauds Khartoum for recognizing results
Secretary General of Islamic Conference Organization Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu welcomed announcement of final results of referendum, lauding conduction of vote for self-determination under sound environment. He also praised President's acceptance of outcomes, calling different Sudanese parties to reach for final compromise for outstanding issues. He renewed ICO commitment to support Sudanese parties, calling on the international community to fulfill its obligations.

Saudi hopes that outcomes will preserve peace
Saudi Cabinet expressed its hope that results of referendum which favored secession overwhelmingly will contribute to preserve sustainable peace allover Sudan. Minister of information Abdel Aziz Khouja said that Saudi Arabia hopes that the relation between south and north will be established on cooperation and good neighborhood.

Germany: outcomes reflect southerners' desire to make their own future
German Minister of Foreign Affairs Westerwelle welcomed announcement of final results, saying in a statement issued yesterday that the outcomes reflect southerners' desire to form their own future. He called on respecting the outcomes in addition to applying them peacefully. He affirmed importance of facilitating process of secession which required resolving of borders demarcation, citizenship, division of natural sources and oil. He added that the German government told the UN and the EU that it is ready to support Sudan in order to preserve security and stability.
[End of excerpts]
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Swiss laud Sudan’s “peaceful” referendum
Report by www.swissinfo.ch
Published date: Monday, 07 February 2011. Excerpt:

Switzerland has praised the “relatively calm, peaceful and ordered” proceedings of Southern Sudan's referendum on independence. Switzerland has been supporting both north and south Sudan as a neutral partner in their moves towards creating lasting peace in Sudan, the ministry added. For the past several months it has been providing technical expertise about the division of riches and debts in the banking sector. Three Swiss were also sent to form part of a European Union observer mission during the referendum. Click here for full story.
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Sudan: UN hails South’s vote for independence, but cautions on tasks ahead
Report from UN News Centre by UN News - www.un.org
Published date: Monday, 07 February 2011. Full copy:

7 February 2011 – The United Nations today hailed the announcement of the official results of South Sudan’s referendum – which showed that an overwhelming majority opted for secession – and called on both sides to agree quickly on a host of issues stemming from the separation and to resolve the future of a disputed area.

Both Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the panel he appointed to monitor the referendum urged the sides to reach lasting post-referendum arrangements, building on the momentum generated by the successful holding of a vote that by 9 July will sever a third from what has until now been Africa’s largest country and is widely expected to lead to the creation of the UN’s 193rd member state.

Such issues include border security, citizenship, wealth-sharing, frontier demarcation, and popular consultations in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile – and Abyei, an area straddling northern and southern Sudan, that was due to have voted in a separate but simultaneous referendum on which side it would join. But a referendum commission has yet to be established there, and there is still no agreement on who would be eligible to vote.

“Their work is not over,” Mr. Ban’s Panel on the Referenda in Sudan said in a news release. “The Panel calls on the parties to build on the constructive relationship they have developed to quickly reach a lasting agreement on post-referendum arrangements so that the peoples of Northern and Southern Sudan can live together side by side in cooperation, security and dignity.”

Mr. Ban appointed the panel, headed by a former Tanzanian president, Benjamin Mkapa, to monitor January’s week-long vote, a culminating point of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ending two decades of civil war between the north and the south that killed some two million people and drove an estimated 4.5 million others from their homes.

In a statement [ http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=5081 ] issued today by his spokesperson, hailing the announcement of the results, Mr. Ban said the “peaceful and credible conduct of the referendum is a great achievement for all Sudanese.” The statement went on to call on the international community to assist all Sudanese towards greater stability and development, reiterating the UN commitment to do so.

In its statement, the Secretary-General’s Panel noted recent deadly clashes in Abyei – ”which have only further complicated the situation” – and stressed the continuing importance of the protection of all Sudanese civilians, whether northerners or southerners.

“The Panel believes that the referendum’s outcome reflects the free will of the people of Southern Sudan and that the process as a whole was free, fair and credible,” it said, citing an appropriate environment and security conditions for the free exercise of the right to self-determination, the high degree of transparency, and the extensive participation of civil society organizations.

It noted that the tone of media coverage and public statements from senior government officials improved as the voting neared.

“In spite of political uncertainty and some security incidents during the referendum period, and sometimes inadequate efforts to inform voters about their rights and options, the Panel concludes that voters were able to express their will freely,” it said.

The Panel also commended the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission for overcoming numerous challenges to administer the vote successfully, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), the UN Integrated Referendum and Electoral Division, and international electoral advisers, donors and observer groups for their assistance.

“The Panel congratulates the people of Sudan for their discipline and patience, which ensured the process was peaceful and on schedule,” it said in its statement.

Throughout the referendum period, UNMIS intensified its peacekeeping patrols in Abyei after reports of clashes between Arab nomadic cattle-herders, known as Misseriya and linked to the North, and the Dinka ethnic group linked to the South.

The other two members of the Secretary-General’s Panel on the Referenda in Sudan were António Monteiro, a former Portuguese Foreign Minister, and Bhojraj Pokharel, a former Chairman of the Election Commission of Nepal.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP), which provided ballots and registration kits, voter registration campaigns, logistics, and technical support for the referendum, also hailed the results.

“UNDP is standing by the people of Southern Sudan as they move forward into the next stage of building a strong, stable, and responsive state,” the UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark, said. “UNDP is working with the government of Southern Sudan to build up core government functions and efficient processes, particularly in the areas of rule of law, security, and public finance.”
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Further Reading



Photo: A casualty from the outbreak of violence in Malakal in Sudan’s Upper Nile State between 3 and 5 February 2011 (UN News Centre)

Sudan: UN peacekeepers patrol site of deadly military clash
Report from UN News Centre
Published date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011. Excerpt:

United Nations peacekeepers have positioned armoured personnel carriers and are patrolling an area in Sudan where units made up of Northern and Southern Sudanese troops clashed last week, killing 54 soldiers and wounding 85 others.

All movement restrictions at the Malakal airport, which was closed after the clashes, have been lifted, and it is now open for regular traffic.
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SCENARIOS - Sudan to split - but what happens next?

Click here for report from Reuters by Reuters published Monday, 07 February 2011.



Photo: A girl holds a South Sudan flag during the announcement of the preliminary results of voting in Sudan, 30 January 2011. (Credit: Reuters/Tim McKulka/UNMIS Handout)
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Profile: Quiet man in a cowboy hat carries a nation's hopes
Report by Andrew Heavens
From The Scotsman, Edinburgh - news.scotsman.com
Published Date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011 at 9:46 PM. Full copy:

Many people feel South Sudan's best hopes of a peaceful birth lie in the consensus-building skills of its unassuming leader, Salva Kiir.

The former army intelligence officer is already a hero to most southerners for guiding them to January's independence referendum, which saw a vote to secede from the north after years of civil war.

Mr Kiir, inset right, now has to take the oil-producing, but desperately underdeveloped, territory further to full independent statehood.

His first challenge will be to get through the next five months of negotiations with his old enemies in the north over volatile issues, including division of oil revenues in the build-up to 9 July.

Mr Kiir's imposing appearance, towering over most other politicians and sporting his trademark cowboy hat, masks an understated political operator who favours cautious consensus-building over confrontation.

When Mr Kiir first stepped up as the leader of the semi-autonomous south in 2005, many compared him unfavourably with his firebrand predecessor, the civil war hero John Garang.

His quiet approach and lack of polarising rhetoric could now be his main strengths in governing a landlocked territory handicapped by tribal divisions, severe poverty, unstable neighbours and huge supplies of privately held weapons.

"With Garang it was a revolution," said International Crisis Group analyst Fouad Hikmat. "But now is the time to listen to others, rather than imposing decisions."

Mr Garang led the Sudan People's Liberation Movement for more than two decades, fighting for a "New Sudan", with equal rights for all of Sudan's peripheries.

He died in a helicopter accident in 2005.

Mr Kiir has concentrated on keeping his fragmented region united.

"He did survive the whole of the war … He's got some political skills there," said Roger Middleton, from London's Chatham House think-tank.
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Many Challenges Ahead Says GOSS Official
Report by SRS - Sudan Radio Service - www.sudanradio.org
Published date: Tuesday, 08 February 2011. Full copy:

8 February 2011 – (Khartoum) – As Southern Sudan awaits the birth of a new nation on July 9th, the government of southern Sudan faces many challenges ahead.

The GOSS minister for Peace and CPA implementation Pagan Amum says that although there are indeed many challenges, the government is up to the task.

He spoke to SRS on Tuesday from Khartoum after the announcement of the final results on Monday.

[Pagan Amum]: “We are absolutely prepared. It is not going to be easy but we are sure that we will go through it. You know we have come from a very long way. Having traveled that long throughout the history of our struggle to this point has not been easy, and this should prepare us for the next step. One journey has come to an end and we should now be prepared to move to the next step. We know it is not going to be easy, but all of us should be prepared!”

Mr Amum who is also the SPLM Secretary General, said that the two partners are now engaged in discussions aimed at resolving the post-referendum issues, which include Abyei and the north-south border demarcation.

[Pagan Amum]: “First we will use the remaining period of the interim period, the time between now to June and 9 July to focus on resolving all outstanding issues particularly Abyei so that the Ngo’k Dinka people of Abyei can decide their fate between choosing to remain in the north or returning to southern Sudan, while we guarantee the rights of the Misseriya people to continue grazing the land in Abyei and cross through Abyei to southern Sudan without their rights being affected by the choice of the Ngo’k people or by south Sudan becoming an independent state. The second issue is to complete the demarcation of the border between the south and the north so that the border is clear and we don’t have any dispute in the border.”

Amum further revealed that the SPLM Political Bureau will meet on the 12th to the 15th of February to review the situation and discuss the future of the party in both the north and south.

He emphasized that the two parties are committed to ensure that peace prevails between the two new neighboring states once independence is declared.
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Mending the Mirror
Report from Khartoum by Nicholas Kay CMG, British Ambassador to Sudan
Source: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office - fco.gov.uk
Published date: Sunday, 06 February 2011. Full copy:

Nobody likes anarchy. Equally nobody likes repression. In Sudan people not only watch events in Egypt, in some cases they also try to emulate them. On 30 January there were small protests in Khartoum. In several other cities these have continued sporadically during the week. The police response has been firm with protestors detained, tear gas and batons used, and some media disrupted. But overall one has to say that Khartoum is far from Cairo and the River Nile doesn’t seem to be flowing southwards.

Against this backdrop, I have had interesting conversations this week. Change – political and constitutional – is not just in the air and openly discussed, it’s written into the script. After 9 July there will be two new countries in present day Sudan. Each will need a new constitution and new politics. This is an exciting time during which all parties and political leaders are making choices that will profoundly affect the lives of millions. Talk in both Juba and Khartoum is of dialogue, reaching out to opponents, broad-based government, accountability, freedoms and rights and the devolution of powers.

Where it will all end nobody knows. But it’s the right debate to be having and it is a moment of real opportunity. As one wise political figure told me, “Government is like a mirror. When you hold it up, you want to see your reflection not somebody else’s.” In a country as ethnically, religiously and economically diverse as Sudan that is true ten times over. Constructing the mirror is a task for the coming months, just as much as resolving some of the final issues flowing from the referendum.

The UK role goes beyond words. We have funded in recent years plenty of activity in support of Sudanese working on the constitution, as well as providing practical training for political parties. At more of a grass-roots level, we are improving access to justice and the rule of law through a multi-million pound Safety and Access to Justice Programme. On Thursday I nearly saw for myself some of its work in Blue Nile State. But, at the last minute, Governor Malik Agar had to come to meet President Bashir in Khartoum. Political dialogue will become even more important in the weeks ahead if the Sudanese are to have the mirror they need.
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Photo of Morri Francis, a student and radio presenter based in Juba, southern Sudan who presents on Radio Bakhita, a Catholic radio station supported by development agency Cafod [ http://www.cafod.org.uk/ ], which raises awareness about the referendum on independence and promotes voter education and peace programmes in southern Sudan.

Our hopes for the new southern Sudan nation are enormous
Commentary by Morri Francis (pictured above)
Source: The Guardian's Poverty Matters Blog (in partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) - www.guardian.co.uk
Published date: Tuesday 8 February 2011 at 12.44 GMT. Full copy:

It is the responsibility of every citizen of 'south Sudan', including me as a young person, to bring about our success.
Read more on the referendum's outcome

On Monday, I joined hundreds of people packed into the John Garang Memorial Centre, armed with small "South Sudan" flags. A big TV screen connected us to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission in Khartoum.

Finally – the announcement that all of southern Sudan has been waiting to hear – the results of our vote on our future, whether or not to become a separate nation.

As I heard the news, my mind was ringing with the challenges ahead. Then my phone also started ringing, with friends from around southern Sudan telling me how they were celebrating.

People were happy but calm, as they had already known that the results were a landslide. Some groups went to hotels and bars to party, and danced until morning.

I am proud that we have been able to defy the doubters, with a calm vote – a clear show of everyone's heartfelt wish for peace.

Unified in our almost 100% vote for separation, among southerners the talk on the street is now a determination to pull together for the development of our new nation.

I hear more than 200,000 southerners have returned from the north, many coming back with the desire to develop our new nation. In Juba, where I live, many are stranded at the Nile River port, still awaiting assistance so they can reach their final destination.

The hopes and expectations of southerners for our new nation are enormous, and there are difficulties ahead. Our jobless youth hope for a new start in life, our parents hope for schools for their children – everyone is dreaming of a better tomorrow.

We are all citizens of our new nation now, and it is the responsibility of every citizen, including me as a young person, to bring about our success. We need to pick ourselves up from a sad position, as a country suffering, with terrible poverty statistics because of the war, and accelerate ahead so that we can compare ourselves more proudly against other nations. And I want to finish my education and be a part of it.

If we can manage our own resources, perhaps there is hope, finally, for development in the south.

But the reality is that not everyone will have a job, clean water, paved roads and good housing immediately, so I hope we can be patient while we work together to make the dream come true. They say Rome was not built in a day, and southern Sudan won't be either.

I know investment will be very important to the south's growth, and to tackle poverty. The international community should understand that the south is a new nation that will need a lot of support.

With six important months before the peace accord comes to an end, our politicians must get moving on solutions to the outstanding issues, such as citizenship, border demarcation and sharing oil revenues. But in the same way the vote took place on time, I'm cautiously optimistic that these too will be settled; even if, as usual, political posturing will play its part.

I think we've reached the stage where there can be no backsliding.

Politicians in the north and south must start to build good relations with neighbours, because we will need each other – in trade, in peaceful co-existence, and even in families whose parents have married across the divide.

The southern government must ready itself to become an independent nation. But success requires teamwork, and the southern governing party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, must ensure democratic and inclusive government that incorporates all the ethnic diversity of the south.

In the spirit of Monday's results, my hopes are still positive, because I hope our united optimism will lead us to achieve together the peace and justice we have been fighting for.

Super genius Ban Ki Moon is one slick explicator!

Some light humour (this one's for Drima - hi Drima!) by Mac Johnson June 21, 2007 - Ban Ki Moon: Super Genius - excerpt:

In Darfur, radical Muslim militias have taken to slaughtering Christian and Pagan farmers for fun and profit. Since radical Muslims elsewhere in the world are generally a peaceful lot, Ban Ki Moon has wisely seen that it must be the weather setting them off. Allah Akbar, it’s hot! Let's kill the infidels.

No really, the man basically said this. He also said that before Global Warming caused a long-term drought in Sudan, the black Christian farmers and the Arab Muslim herders lived in a sort of multicultural slumber party of mutual understanding and admiration. Then Global Warming happened and the farmers put up fences and triggered their own genocide at the hands of the once neighborly camel herders (and you thought good fences made good neighbors). So now I understand that the trouble in Darfur is really something of a cross between “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Open Range,” and “The Weather Channel.” Ban Ki Moon is one slick explicator!

Related reports: UN head links climate change darfur.
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Ex´pli`ca`tor
n. One who unfolds or explains; an expounder; an explainer.

Glad to see the word explicator, used in report above, does not mean fibber. Here at Sudan Watch, I've banged on for years about the water shortages in Darfur and how water will become Sudan's most valuable resource. Just a fraction of the world's climate change budget could help the Sudanese make the most of advanced solar and communications technologies.



Photo: Former US President Bill Clinton with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at the UN HQ in New York (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

Clinton Global Initiative

Former US president Bill Clinton called on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, April 2007:

During the 45-minute discussion, Clinton, whose term as the UN special envoy for tsunami relief ended on December 31, and Ban discussed issues ranging from the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, Somalia, Uganda, Congo, Iran, Iraq, to the Middle East peace process, UN deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe told media persons.

The efforts being undertaken by the UN and the Clinton Global Initiative on global problems were also discussed in the meet, she added.

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Apologies

Feel bad and under pressure for not replying to emails since March. Blogging Darfur is not always as easy as it seems. Problems with hyperlinks, reinstalled OSX, added Firefox, lost incoming email dates (unheard of at Apple) still ongoing, month and year ok, no day. If I owe you an email, please don't think I've forgotten. Tough time here lately on all fronts. Huge thanks to Scaryduck for helping guard against predators targeting this site. Bye for now. Hope to catch up soon.