With the referendum on independence only two weeks away, thousands of people are heading back to Southern Sudan to participate in the historic plebiscite. People of South Sudan, including those living abroad, are called to choose whether South Sudan should become an independent state or remain united to Sudan. Most of political analysts think the vote in favour of independence will be massive.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported last week that nearly 55,000 southern Sudanese have returned in the past few weeks from the northern areas to exercise their right to vote. The South Sudanese government asked their people living in the north not to register in northern electoral colleges for fear of ballot manipulation by the northern ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

The voter registration process goes on

Despite the voting is due on 9 to 15 of January, the voter registration process, which started in November 14, has not finished yet. The panel monitoring the process believes that “a credible referendum can take place” despite challenges such as “financial hurdles” or “voters living in remote areas, far from referendum centres”.

However, the most controversial hindrance is probably the Abyei issue. A parallel referendum must be held in this oil-rich district to decide whether it remains within Northern Sudan or becomes part of South Sudan in case the latter does secede. The problem is that the National Congress party and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army have not yet agreed upon eligible voters.

Even though the Abyei legislative council urged again on Christmas Day for a final settlement, USA Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration said the opportunity for there to be a poll has passed. According to Foreign Policy journal, US officials think there is a great risk of violence in Abyei if the North and the South do not reach an agreement soon. It is believed that if Abyei breaks out in violence, it could threaten the overall Southern Sudan referendum.

Further information:

• South Sudan Government and United Nations Mission in Sudan websites
• Previous new on Nationalia: The government of Sudan threatens not to recognize the outcome of the referendum on self-determination