Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - The complexity of the situation in Sudan, a Country that is preparing for the referendum on the independence of the south (to be held 9 January, 2011), has been the focus of the Conference “The future of Sudan. From the referendum for secession of the southern territories, to the EU's role in the political stability of Africa”, held in Rome on 9 December.
Among the speakers were H.E. Mr Aler Ruai Deng Deng, Ambassador of Sudan; Antonella Napoli, spokesperson for Italians for Darfur, and Alessandro Politi, a strategic analyst. The speakers expressed the hope that the referendum will be conducted in a peaceful manner. The peaceful conclusion of the process of voter registration (although marked by some difficulties) is an encouraging sign. As was emphasized by the presentations, the problems will begin after the referendum, whatever the outcome of the vote.
Among them are the as yet unestablished boundaries between northern and southern Sudan: beyond the area of Abiye (which will be subject to a referendum specifically on its assignment to the north or south), there are at least 12 other areas at the centre of a dispute between the two sides. Oil is another issue that needs to be the subject of careful negotiations between Khartoum and southern Sudan. In fact, if the south holds 70-80% of Sudan's total oil reserves, 90% of the budget for southern Sudan's Government will come from oil. In addition, the export of crude oil through the remaining ports will remain, in the event of secession, in the hands of Khartoum. The creation of pipelines to export oil to Djibouti, Eritrea and Cameroon, has been deemed economically non-viable. It is thus clear that the south and north have a mutual interest in dialogue and to resolve their differences peacefully.
The creation of a new State in southern Sudan also poses problems for the whole of Africa, because it could open the way for other demands for independence in various Countries throughout the continent. Precisely for this reason, at the time of its creation in 1963, the Organization for African Unity (known from 2001 as the African Union) had adopted the principle of the inviolability of borders inherited from colonization. Finally, there is a risk that in the delicate process of forming the new state entity, international mafias, which are expanding rapidly in Africa, will insert themselves having already taken root in several European countries. For these reasons the European Union and Africa have a common interest to work together to guarantee a peaceful transition for Sudan, whatever the outcome of the referendum on 9 January. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2010)
