The United Nations said yesterday that it is up to the people of south Sudan to decide whether or not to opt for independence in the 2011 referendum, but added it would try to avert conflict in case of a yes vote.
UN spokesman Martin Nesirky sought to clarify remarks the UN chief Ban Ki-moon made in an interview in Addis Ababa on Saturday in which he said the world body will work toward Sudan’s national unity, Agence France-Presse reported.Mr. Nesirky said Mr. Ban’s statement implies that the UN would work to support the parties in their efforts to make unity attractive as well as the exercise by the people of southern Sudan of their right to self-determination in the referendum.
He added that Mr. Ban made clear that the UN would work to avoid any potential negative consequences following the 2011 referendum.
Mr. Nesirky said any suggestion that the UN may have taken a position that may prejudge the outcome of such a referendum is not correct.