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SOUTH SUDAN ANALYSIS

Reporting without fear or favour

AU: Afraid S.Sudan’s Independence Invite more In Africa

Available via URL: http://sosanews.com/2010/05/26/au-afraid-s-sudans-independence-
invite-more-in-africa/

May 25, 2010 (OUAGADOUGOU) — The African Union (AU)

Commission Chairman Jean Ping, once again renewed his concerns Tuesday about

Southern Sudanese vote for separation in a referendum on self determination

scheduled to take place next January.

In accordance to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005, the

Southern Sudanese will decide whether to remain part of the current Sudan or to

create their own state.

South Sudan government officials say Khartoum failed to make unity attractive and

pledge to campaign for separation as the ruling National congress Party says it would

work to maintain the Sudan as united state.

Speaking during the annual commemoration of the establishment of the Organization

of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963 – became African Union in 2002— in the

capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou Ping told reporters “From the outset we’ve

argued in favour one of the options, making (Sudan’s) unity attractive”.

Ping who organized on May 8 a meeting on Sudan said at the moment it appears

voters in southern Sudan will support independence.

“That’s a major problem for all African countries which could be confronted by similar

situations, that’s what concerns us,” he said.

“Such a decision could lead us again to a number of major difficulties, including war.”

However, Ping said that if the referendum does go forward “we have no other choice

than to respect the decision of the Sudanese.”

In similar remarks on January 29, Ping s expressed concern that other parts of Sudan

beside the South may seen a self determination vote in the future.
“Will the independence of Southern Sudan not lead other players in Darfur and in

other places, which are currently not asking for independence, to seek independence

as Southern Sudan will have done?” he added.

“We have a feeling that we are sitting on a powder keg,” Ping said.