North-South Sudan framework set, African Union says

[News_Editor]

North-South Sudan framework set, African Union says

2010-11-15 20:52:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

KHARTOUM, SUDAN (BNO NEWS) -- The African Union (AU) on Monday announced that North and South Sudan have agreed on a framework to resolve issues as the January vote for the southern region's independence approaches.

The ruling National Congress Party of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and former southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement met and negotiated "successfully," as both sides have agreed on establishing the north-south border. In addition, northern nomads will be allowed to enter the south freely.

Both sides "committed themselves to the immediate demarcation of the north-south border," the AU said. "In the event of secession, this will be the longest inter-state border in Africa, hosting in its immediate vicinity on both sides a significant proportion of Sudan's population."

"The parties have committed themselves to maintaining a 'soft border', which will permit unhindered economic and social activity and interaction, which will be essential for economic prosperity and harmony between the north and the south," the AU added.

The announcement was made as voter registration for the referendum began to take place across the country and abroad, launching a process which could lead to the partition of Africa's largest country.

On January 9, the inhabitants of Southern Sudan will vote on whether to secede from the rest of the country, as part of the final phase in the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement which ended two decades of war between the northern-based Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in the south.´

A separate referendum is scheduled to take place on the same day in which the residents of the central area of Abyei will vote on whether to be part of the north or the south.

The panel was set up by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in response to a request by the Sudanese Government for a body to help enhance the credibility of the referendum and ensure the acceptance of their results by their constituencies and the international community.

An estimated five million people are eligible to vote, but officials only have 17 days to register them.

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