19 January 2011
Sudan’s Referendum Marks “Historic Milestone”
Washington — Southern Sudan’s referendum on self-determination marks “a historic milestone” for the Sudanese, says Ambassador Princeton Lyman, head of the U.S. State Department’s Sudan Negotiation Support Unit.
Lyman testified about Sudan’s progress to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs January 18.
“We have come a long way in a short time. Even just a few months ago, many thought that an on-time, peaceful referendum was impossible — both from a technical and a political standpoint. Yet, it was achieved,” Lyman said.
The referendum could lead to the partition of Sudan by establishing an independent state in the South. He said turnout for the January 9–15 vote was “significant,” and the polling process was “peaceful and well-organized.” Lyman added that international observers, including the United Nations Monitoring Panel on the Referenda in Sudan, have deemed the process credible.
The Sudanese government in Khartoum has said it will accept the outcome of the vote. Lyman said the counting and declaration of preliminary results is under way, though official results are not expected to be released until February.
“Nonetheless, the referendum is not the final chapter of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). There is much work still to be done to ensure that the promise of the referendum leads to lasting peace and stability for all of Sudan,” Lyman said.
The referendum is a key part of fully implementing the CPA, which ended the civil war between northern and southern Sudan in 2005. Lyman said no matter the outcome of the vote, leaders from both sides will need to reach agreement on how to handle future issues “involving citizenship, security, debt, oil, currency and more.”
Provided Sudan continues to conduct the referendum peacefully and accepts the results, Lyman said the United States is prepared “to begin the process of withdrawing Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.” He said if Sudan continues to meet obligations “critical to both a successful North-South relationship and long-term stability in the region,” the United States is ready to move toward improved bilateral relations, including renewed dialogue and an exchange of ambassadors, as well as to commit to an enhanced economic relationship with Sudan.
(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)
