Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement SPLM affirmed that the Southern Sudan Referendum, scheduled for January 9 2011, must take place in time, despite NCP inactivity in appointing the remaining officials of the referendum commission.
Addressing the press upon his arrival from Khartoum, SPLM Deputy Secretary General Pagan Amum said his party will not accept any attempt to further delay the right to self-determination to the people of south Sudan.
He lamented the six-month delay in the appointment of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, and blamed it on NCP continuous obstruction. He further blamed the chairperson of the commission for not favouring the smooth work of the commission.
The Secretary General of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission is still to be appointed, while members of the Juba-based Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau have just taken oath of office.
Mr. Amum stated that SPLM will ensure that the referendum is conducted in a free and fair manner, to reflect the will of south Sudanese, and that the outcome of the referendum will be accepted and respected, whatever it may be.