The minister for defense in the federal government said yesterday the south Sudan referendum may be delayed until border and security issues are settled.
Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein’s comments are the strongest suggestions so far from a senior member of the National Congress Party against the timely exercise of referendum slated for January 9, Reuters reported.Mr. Hussein told reporters in Cairo that border issues and Abyei must be resolved within the framework of one nation.
Mr. Hussein said the security and stability of the people both in the north and south is more important than anything else.
SPLA spokesman Kuol Deim Kuol, commenting Mr. Hussain’s statement, said the reality iis that the people of south Sudan are ready to vote.
He added that all the southern political parties committed themselves to hold the referenda on time.