By Laura Hirahara
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan- The referendum previously scheduled for January 9, 2011 in Sudan regarding the southern region’s succession is now in question, leading many to fear a return to the pre-2005 bloodshed that lasted over two decades and killed 2 million Sudnese, many from starvation.  Preparations for the vote are behind schedule and the voting rules that would determine who is to vote are still not in place.  President Omar al-Bashir has stated that the elections will be free and fair but many are accusing him of deliberately stalling.  Because the Southern Sudan region holds a majority of the oil fields, earlier this month U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said the “inevitable” vote for succession is a “ticking time bomb”.  Clinton’s statements reflect the concern that the North will not give up control of their oil interests without conflict.

Creating even more tension is the apparent intimidation of southern Sudanese living in the northern region.  Kamal Mohamed Obeid, Sudan’s Information Minister has stated that if the South votes for succession, any southern Sudanese living in the north will no longer enjoy the rights and privileges of citizenship in the north.  Sudan People’s Liberation Movement’s (SPLM) spokesperson, Yien Matthew Chol, said,

The NCP is making such a statement because they think that is going to coerce southerners to vote for unity. […] They have started treating southerners badly. Starting from five months ago, and now in Khartoum, you can never speak about separation. You will find yourself either disappearing, or in detention, or jailed. So, speaking about separation and the right of determination, as enshrined in the agreement, is something that the NCP sees now as a taboo.

Many are warning that if Sudan fails to hold the referendum on time and with transparency the consequences could reach farther than the country itself, creating instability in the entire region.  Organizations like Oxfam are pushing for aid groups to assist Sudan in preparing for the vote.  U.S. President Barack Obama has offered his support, stating that the Sudanese leaders who work to avoid conflict will be rewarded with improved relations with the United States, “even working to lift sanctions if leaders fulfill their obligations.  […But to those] who flout their responsibilities … there must be consequences.”

For more information, please see;

BBC- Barrack Obama Presses for Peaceful Sudan Referendum– 25 September, 2010

VOA- Southern Sudanese Intimidated in North, Says SPLM Spokesmas– 26 September, 2010

CNN- Obama, World Leaders Address Sudan Referendum at UN Summit– 24 September, 2010