2011 South Sudanese independence referendum

none September 2020 2011 South Sudaneseindependence referendum Southern Sudan Secession Unity 3,792,518 44,888 3,851,994 3,947,676 South Sudan location green map.svg region South Sudan independence celebration - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg 300 People celebrating the independence of South Sudan on 9 July 2011 9 – 15 January 2011 A referendum took place in Southern Sudan from 9 to 15 January 2011,Richmond Matt 8 January 2011 Sudan Referendum Has Peaceful First Day https://www.voanews.com/a/sudan-referendum-has-peaceful-first-day-113166279/133314.html 2023-04-19 VOA en on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become independent.Richmond Matt 16 December 2010 Southern Sudan Focuses on January Referendum https://www.voanews.com/a/southern-sudan-focuses-on-january-referendum-112084759/132405.html 2023-04-19 VOA enIbrahim Mohamed 2007-06-26 Eastern Sudan Front: Quiescence at war & discordance in peace (2) https://sudantribune.com/article22813/ 2023-04-19 Sudan Tribune en-US June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yesVuni Isaac 2007-07-12 Road to 2011 referendum is full of obstacles – South Sudan's Kiir https://sudantribune.com/article23049/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000929/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article22813 15 July 2014 2023-04-19 Sudan Tribune en-US The referendum was one of the consequences of the 2005 Naivasha Agreement between the Khartoum central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M). A simultaneous referendum was supposed to be held in Abyei on whether to become part of South Sudan but it was postponed due to conflict over demarcation and residency rights.Bixler Mark 5 January 2011 Historic day ahead after decades of war CNN http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/05/sudan.historic.day/ live 10 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110109131544/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/05/sudan.historic.day/ 9 January 2011 On 7 February 2011, the referendum commission published the final results, with a landslide majority of 98.83% voting in favour of independence.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12379431 BBC News South Sudan backs independence – results 7 February 2011 20 June 2018 25 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181125061032/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12379431 live While the ballots were suspended in 10 of the 79 counties for exceeding 100% of the voter turnout, the number of votes was still well over the requirement of 60% turnout, and the majority vote for secession is not in question. The predetermined date for the creation of an independent state was 9 July 2011.Pflanz Mike 8 January 2011 Sudan referendum: what's being voted on and what will happen? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/sudan/8246615/Sudan-referendum-whats-being-voted-on-and-what-will-happen.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20190404015810/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/sudan/8246615/Sudan-referendum-whats-being-voted-on-and-what-will-happen.html 4 April 2019 2023-04-19 The Telegraph Background The prerequisites for the referendum included a census, which was used to define how wealth and political power will be apportioned between regions. The census was the basis of a voter registration process, which was also used for the national elections in 2010, which in turn set the stage for the referendum. The census was delayed three times. Problems included disagreements between the north and south over what they were obliged to do by the Naivasha Agreement, funding difficulties and an enormous logistical challenge. In the south, unmapped minefields from the war continued to make movement difficult, while up to 5,000,000 Sudanese were nomadic. Up to 2,000,000 internally displaced persons from the south remained in camps around Khartoum, in the centre of the country, whilst refugees remained in Uganda and Kenya. A further complication resulted from the conflict in Darfur to the west, where civilians who had fled attacks refused to take part in census out of fear that the government would use the results against them. Darfuri rebel groups were unanimous in their denunciation of the planned census, while the Justice and Equality Movement group had threatened to attack any census-taker.Henshaw Amber 2008-04-21 Sudanese stand up to be counted en-GB http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7359303.stm live 2023-04-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20080422002902/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7359303.stm 22 April 2008 There were disagreements between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLA/M about what proportion of voters will have to be in favour of independence (the NCP wanted at least 75% support required), whether Southern Sudanese living in the north should be allowed to vote, and the post-referendum separation process (including the division of the national debt).Dak James Gatdet 20 August 2009 Sudan's NCP & SPLM fail to agree on census, referendum law http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article32187 live https://web.archive.org/web/20100211191828/http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article32187 11 February 2010 5 January 2011 Sudan Tribune Modest progress was made in early September 2010, but disagreements on fundamental points remained.3 September 2009 Sudan partners make modest progress on referendum talks http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article32327 live https://web.archive.org/web/20100211162617/http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article32327 11 February 2010 5 January 2011 Sudan Tribune It is envisaged that "popular consultations" in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, without a clear reference to referendums and/or independence, would raise concerns about the future of these regions.Martell Peter 2009-11-24 Will Sudan's Nuba Mountains be left high and dry? en-GB http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8368189.stm live 2023-04-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20120406235341/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8368189.stm 6 April 2012The Nuba Mountains - straddling the north-south divide https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-nuba-mountains-straddling-north-south-divide 2023-04-19 reliefweb.int 12 November 2009 en According to the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (or CPA), in October 2009, the central government of Sudan and the South Sudanese government agreed that turnout would have to be at least 60% of 3,800,000 voters would be necessary to validate. In this case, a simple majority vote in favour of independence would result in secession for South Sudan;Abdelrahman Abdellatif 2009-12-31 Darfur NCP Civil Society groups to Where? https://sudantribune.com/article33451/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20091216085803/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article33451 16 December 2009 2023-04-19 Sudan Tribune en-US2009-10-16 Terms for Sudan referendum agreed en-GB http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8310928.stm live 2023-04-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20091019082930/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8310928.stm 19 October 2009 should the turnout be insufficient in the first referendum, a second one will be held within sixty days.Aleu Philip Thon 21 October 2009 Talks on South Sudan referendum progress in Khartoum http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article32852 live https://web.archive.org/web/20100215011901/http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article32852 15 February 2010 5 January 2011 Sudan Tribune Campaign thumb|right|200px|The flag of the Government of Southern Sudan thumb| #f7931d Sudan proper #8cc63f Darfur #800080 Eastern Front, area of operations July 2006 #00adef South Sudan (held referendum in 2011) #FFFF00 Abyei (referendum for 2011 postponed indefinitely) #fb6282 States to hold "popular consultations" in 2011: South Kurdufan (process suspended)Martell Peter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13812579 Is Sudan heading for an acrimonious divorce? BBC 2011-06-20 2014-02-10 17 December 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181217201415/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13812579 live and Blue Nile (postponed indefinitely)Kleto Peter Oyoyo Popular consultations must go ahead http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Kordofan-and-Blue-Nile,40310 Comment and Analysis 21 October 2011 29 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111029093854/http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Kordofan-and-Blue-Nile,40310 liveSudanese officials have said throughout campaigning that, regardless of their pro-unity or pro-separatist stance, the ultimate aim was a peaceful transition. Vice President Kiir acknowledged his administration had failed to deliver "the dividends of peace", and noted that a campaign to confiscate arms was a solution to maintaining stability.Boswell Alan 2010-06-05 South Sudan Moves Toward Independence en-US Time https://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1994209,00.html live 2023-04-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20100608134513/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1994209,00.html 8 June 2010 0040-781X Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir said that the southern region had a right to choose to secede and that the referendum was helpful because unity "could not be forced by power." He also said he would respect the outcome of the vote and support the south.4 January 2011 Bashir: Secession is south's right https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/4/bashir-secession-is-souths-right live https://web.archive.org/web/20110107092906/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111493228318198.html 7 January 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera However, he also said that though secession was a right it may not resolve issues for the south: "The stability of the south is very important to us because any instability in the south will have an impact on the north. If there is a war in your neighbour's house, you will not be at peace. The south suffers from many problems. It's been at war since 1959. The south does not have the ability to provide for its citizens or create a state or authority." Negotiations continue between the ruling parties in the north and south on potential post-referendum arrangements—looking at future issues such as citizenship, security, finance and wealth sharing. Minister of Petroleum Mr. Deng said he fears that an immediate budget cut for the north would ignite a war. "In order to avoid conflict, we could look to a phase-out arrangement whereby you provide the north some [oil] until they get an alternative".Hamilton Rebecca 12 September 2010 South Sudan independence vote at risk The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/12/AR2010091204286.html live 5 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20121111201917/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/12/AR2010091204286.html 11 November 2012 The pipeline to export southern oil currently cuts through the north, and the south has not begun construction on a pipeline that would avoid that route. In an article published by The Washington Post on 21 September 2010, Deng noted that an interim agreement could help both north and south and result in a "win-win". The northern government said it would assume most of the country's $38,000,000,000 debt if secession was voted upon.Bhaskar Ranjit 10 January 2011 South Sudanese vote for second day https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/10/south-sudanese-vote-for-second-day live https://web.archive.org/web/20110113065759/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/201111034254130514.html 13 January 2011 16 January 2011 Al Jazeera National campaigns were being held by both parties to address issues of potential clashes ahead of the referendum. President Al-Bashir wanted to reassure and assuage tension surrounding the issue of citizenship rights in the case of South Sudan secession. He said that even if southerners opted for secession, "the sentimental unity and social relations between north and south Sudan will remain standing." Al-Bashir vowed that the rights of southern citizens staying in the north after secession would be safeguarded, saying that his party would not allow anyone to infringe on the rights of southerners in the north, their properties, freedoms and residence regardless of citizenship.Sudan's Al-Bashir warns against "unilateral solutions" to north-south disputes http://talkofsudan.com/sudan/sudans-al-bashir-warns-against-unilateral-solutions-to-north-south-disputes live https://web.archive.org/web/20110716000000/http://talkofsudan.com/sudan/sudans-al-bashir-warns-against-unilateral-solutions-to-north-south-disputes 16 July 2011 5 January 2011 Sudan Tribune Alt URL The northern Justice and Peace Forum Party advocated separation of the country citing unity as a "bad forced marriage." Its chairman Al Taieb Mustafa said that the prospective support for the referendum would be "the real independence day for Sudan."Naib Fatma 9 January 2011 Bye bye Juba https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2011/1/9/bye-bye-juba live https://web.archive.org/web/20110114231953/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/20111919418645607.html 14 January 2011 16 January 2011 Al Jazeera On 8 January, the mood in Juba, the southern capital, and the wider region was said to be jubilant with final pro-secession rallies celebrating independence in advance.Bashir warns of unstable South http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011171839053529.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20120824100135/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/01/2011171839053529.html 24 August 2012 10 January 2011 Al Jazeera Egyptian and Libyan involvement Early during the referendum process, an Egyptian proposal was made to have a confederation between the north and south of the country. However, President Omar al-Bashir said it was not being considered because the issue of the referendum was about "unity or separation. Our brothers in the south are refusing at the moment the proposal of confederation. If the separation was the result of the referendum, the two sides are going to negotiate over the future of relations between them."7 November 2010 Al-Bashir troubled over Sudan vote https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/7/al-bashir-troubled-over-sudan-vote live https://web.archive.org/web/20110206191940/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/11/201011773355574570.html 6 February 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi later went to Sudan to try to assuage the conflict, though both men had previously called for the country to stay united. Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the meeting sought to ensure the referendum could be held in a "climate of freedom, transparency, and credibility, reflecting the will of the sons of the south" and also that both the South and North could strengthen bonds.African leaders calm tension https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/24/n-africa-leaders-calm-sudan-tension live https://web.archive.org/web/20101222182345/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/20101221133046677138.html 22 December 2010 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en Issues Observers and key players feared violence ahead of the South Sudan referendum for a variety of reasons. Abyei Abyei status referendum, 2011 thumb|Line for voter registration in Abyei, 2009 Talks on resolving the status and of the eligibility criteria for voters in the disputed Abyei region broke down in October 2010, although both the central ruling NCP and southern SPLM said their respective teams "will meet again in Ethiopia toward the end of October to continue their discussions. The parties continue to commit themselves to their mutual goal of avoiding a return to conflict."http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/2010101214279615176.html Talks on Sudan's Abyei break down Al Jazeera 12 October 2010 5 January 2011 31 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110131064137/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/2010101214279615176.html live Didiri Mohammad Ahmad, an NCP official, said it was "not possible" to hold the referendum on the future of Abyei on time, and it could be delayed for months or be settled without a vote. He added that "We agreed that in the next talks we will try to look for other alternatives."http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/2010101572158985130.html Sudan row over Abyei escalates Al Jazeera 18 October 2010 5 January 2011 31 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110131092829/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/2010101572158985130.html live Sudan's Defense Minister, Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein, suggested the vote may have to be postponed. "According to the reality on the ground...border issues and Abyei must be resolved within the framework of one nation because doing so in the framework of two countries open[s] the door for foreign interference. The referendum is not a goal but a tool to consolidate and promote security and stability. This [UDI] is illegal and will not be recognized by the African Union or the other [organizations] because it would contradict the peace agreement and its procedures."http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36658 Sudan says referendum may need to be postponed Sudan Tribune 19 October 2010 5 January 2011 24 November 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101124020157/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36658 live Sudan's UN ambassador Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman told the Security Council that "It is evident that any attempt to conduct the plebiscite before achieving an acceptable settlement between the two parties [in Abyei] will mean only a return to war."http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/20101025225853195895.html Sudan warns of civil war over Abyei Al Jazeera 26 October 2010 5 January 2011 3 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110203232302/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/20101025225853195895.html live The United States said it was working to avoid the "danger" that would follow the failure to hold the referendum.Gaouette Nicole https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-26/u-s-pushes-sudanese-meetings-to-ensure-southern-referendum-avoid-violence.html U.S Pushes Sudanese Meetings to Ensure Southern Referendum, Avoid Violence Bloomberg 5 January 2011 31 October 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101031005757/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-26/u-s-pushes-sudanese-meetings-to-ensure-southern-referendum-avoid-violence.html live The government Sudan asked the UN for the printing of ballots for the referendum as diplomats and the electoral commission warned of any further delay would miss the deadline to hold the election.South Sudan vote put in doubt https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/1/south-sudan-vote-put-in-doubt live https://web.archive.org/web/20101202052657/http://english.aljazeera.net//news/africa/2010/12/2010121125811629500.html 2 December 2010 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en Abyei was not finalized for the vote.Caught in Sudan's ethnic faultline https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/29/caught-in-sudans-ethnic-faultline live https://web.archive.org/web/20210613204054/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/29/caught-in-sudans-ethnic-faultline/ 13 June 2021 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en Bishtina Mohammed El Salam of the Misseriya, who dominate the region along with the Dinka tribe, said he would not accept Abyei's seceding and joining the south even though the latter favored secession. "If the Dinka take this decision – to annex Abyei to the south – there will be an immediate war without any excuse. We think they should be reasonable and think about it. They should know that those who are pushing them to take that decision will not give them any back-up."Tribe warns of war over Sudan vote https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/3/tribe-warns-of-war-over-sudan-vote live https://web.archive.org/web/20110105022855/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/201113143152881650.html 5 January 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera South Kurdufan and Blue Nile thumb|left|"South is for southerners" – tensions from the civil war were a factor in the vote. The status of the Nuba Mountains region of South Kurdufan and Blue Nile is more complex as ethnic data is less clear. In the Blue Nile, African ethnic groups such as the Berta, Anuak and Koma are dominant in the South. The Northern part, however, has an Arab majority, although the enclave of Ingessana in Tabi Hillshttp://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Sudan_Ethnic_Linguistic_sm.jpg Archived copy 2011-01-14 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110719180403/http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Sudan_Ethnic_Linguistic_sm.jpg 19 July 2011 is mostly Animist and was targeted by the northern forces during the civil war.http://www.sudanupdate.org/REPORTS/PEOPLES/ING.HTM Ingessana Sudanupdate.org 16 January 2011 24 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110524172608/http://www.sudanupdate.org/REPORTS/PEOPLES/ING.HTM live The total population stands at 832,112 according to the Election Commission.http://www.riftvalley.net/resources/file/Electoral%20Designs%20-%20Report%20on%20elections%20in%20Sudan.pdf Electoral Designs – Proportionality, representation, and constituency boundaries in Sudan's 2010 elections Marc Gustafson Rift Valley Institute Emily Walmsley 2010 23 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20140426171620/http://www.riftvalley.net/resources/file/Electoral%20Designs%20-%20Report%20on%20elections%20in%20Sudan.pdf 26 April 2014 dead During the 2010 provincial elections, the NCP won 29 out of the 48 seats, while the SPLM won 17 seats. In the National Assembly elections, the NCP won 6 out of the 10 seats, while the SPLM got 4.http://blogs.ssrc.org/sudan/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/NEC-results-updated-20-May-2010.pdf NATIONAL ASSEMBLY – SEAT ALLOCATIONS dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110215003431/http://blogs.ssrc.org/sudan/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/NEC-results-updated-20-May-2010.pdf 15 February 2011 14 January 2011 However, the SPLM accused the NCP of fraud. The separate gubernatorial election was won by the SPLM candidate, who polled almost 5% votes more than his NCP rival.Garang Ngor Arol April 26, 2010 SPLM lauds election of Malik Aggar as Blue Nile State Governor https://sudantribune.com/article34677/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20120729103829/http://www.sudantribune.com/SPLM-lauds-election-of-Malik-Aggar,34893 29 July 2012 16 January 2011 Sudan Tribune The Nuba Mountain was home to some 1,000,000 ethnic Nuba during 1980.http://www.lnsart.com/nuba_mountains.htm Nuba Mountains Sudan Lnsart.com 10 January 2008 16 January 2011 20 December 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101220115138/http://lnsart.com/nuba_mountains.htm live A total of 99 different tribes used to live in this region.http://www.nubasurvival.com/NAFIR/Vol%205%20No%201/6.%20Nuba%20-%20pure%20people.htm Nuba: A Pure People Nubasurvival.com 16 January 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110526211843/http://www.nubasurvival.com/NAFIR/Vol%205%20No%201/6.%20Nuba%20-%20pure%20people.htm 26 May 2011 When the civil war broke out during the late 1980s, the Nuba aligned with the SPLA. The vast majority of Nuba were taken as prisoners of war and forcibly relocated to camps in North Kordofan and Khartoum. When the fighting ended, only about half the population survived. The rest either surrendered and moved north or were killed during the fighting. After the signing of the peace accord, some of the Nuba returned to the mountains, but the tribal elders refused to re-admit them into the tribes as they feared the abductees (mostly young men) were too Islamised. They were finally allowed back into the tribal fold after a 6-month re-education camp. The SPLA controls four counties in Southern Kordofan: Lagawa, Kadugli, Rashad and Dilling.http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004CE90B/(httpDocuments)/35E2E9BC8ED34C8EC1257591007E9E3F/$file/145_sudans_southern_kordofan_problem___the_next_darfur.pdf SUDAN'S SOUTHERN KORDOFAN PROBLEM: THE NEXT DARFUR? International Crisis Group 21 October 2008 23 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120314021322/http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004CE90B/(httpDocuments)/35E2E9BC8ED34C8EC1257591007E9E3F/$file/145_sudans_southern_kordofan_problem___the_next_darfur.pdf 14 March 2012 dead In 2005, the Arab dominated West Kordofan was merged in to South Kordofan, resulting in Arabs gaining a majority in the new province. The 2008 census reported the total population of South Kordofan at 1,406,404 (though the SPLA claims many ethnic Nuba living in remote regions were not counted). This figure includes the Abyei region and it is not known how many are Nuba, Ngok and Baggara. During the 2010 National Assembly election, the NCP won 13 out of the 17 seats, while the SPLM won 4 seats. The gubernatorial elections were postponed to 2011. During the 2010 Presidential elections, the NCP received 69.3% of the votes in South Kordofan and 56.6% in the Blue Nile, while the SPLM received 18.5% of the votes in South Kordofan and 32.7% in the Blue Nile.http://nec.org.sd/new/new/lre/raeis.htm English Nec.org.sd 16 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110717164834/http://nec.org.sd/new/new/lre/raeis.htm 17 July 2011 dead Ahmed Harun of NCP defeated Abdelaziz al-Hilu of the SPLM in the 2011 South Kordofan Gubernatorial elections. Harun received 201,455 votes compared to Hilu's 194,955 votes. NCP won 33 seats in the legislature to SPLM's 22 seats.Agence France-Presse https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iGzNZDJafXchewPgQQY38R-yqSsg?docId=CNG.1355312a9bc2751e551a356026815195.9b1 https://archive.today/20130125053636/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iGzNZDJafXchewPgQQY38R-yqSsg?docId=CNG.1355312a9bc2751e551a356026815195.9b1 dead 25 January 2013 Sudan state poll results 'credible': Carter Centre 19 May 2011 11 July 2011 SPLM refused to acknowledge the results, accusing the NCP of voter intimidation and electoral fraud.SPLM's Al-Hilu vows to buck result of South Kordofan's polls as killing incident stokes tension https://sudantribune.com/article38523/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20110629033636/https://www.sudantribune.com/SPLM-s-Al-Hilu-vows-to-buck-result,38936 29 June 2011 11 July 2011 Sudan Tribune 18 May 2011 Religion and tribes Religion was also expected to significantly influence the referendum.http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/20111461538831470.html Religion influences Sudan vote Al Jazeera 4 January 2011 5 January 2011 7 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110107093036/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/20111461538831470.html live Christian commentators have noted that there is a "climate of chronic discrimination against Sudanese Christians and other minorities."Carnes Tony The Rush to Reconcile Christianity Today 5 January 2011 http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/january/11.15.html 7 January 2011 8 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110108025850/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/january/11.15.html live For some, religion was not the issue,Racism undermines Sudanese unity https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/22/racism-undermines-sudanese-unity live https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043110/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/12/2010122218520433724.html 23 December 2010 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en while other southerners objected to alleged "Islamisation."9 July 2010 6 Months Until South Sudan Votes to Secede ABC News Associated Press Australia https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=11124906 dead 5 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110219061128/http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=11124906 19 February 2011http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/09/15/new.york.sudan.freedom.walk/ Former Sudan slave, others marching to D.C. in support of homeland Biggs, Marcia CNN 15 September 2010 5 January 2011 9 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121109051007/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/09/15/new.york.sudan.freedom.walk/ liveLavallee, Guillaume 9 January 2011 'Slaves' aim to separate from Arabs in Sudan vote Agence France-Presse https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5idGmp4BqlWHNFmghw-ut9Z3ddUWw?docId=CNG.d9c15ccdbcf1859c4040f88926083f32.3a1 dead 9 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110118060827/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5idGmp4BqlWHNFmghw-ut9Z3ddUWw?docId=CNG.d9c15ccdbcf1859c4040f88926083f32.3a1 18 January 2011https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-sudan-election-20110110,0,890027.story Southern Sudan votes on secession Fleishman, Jeffrey Los Angeles Times 10 January 2011 10 January 2011 19 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110119143701/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-sudan-election-20110110,0,890027.story live Some Southern Sudanese had also claimed that tribalism and racism affected their choice. South Sudanese Muslims supported secession.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYdu2qdpElw https://web.archive.org/web/20151211014748/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYdu2qdpElw 11 December 2015 South Sudan's Muslims welcome secession, Agence France-Presse President Omar al-Bashir said dual citizenship would not be allowed. According to the CPA, 20 percent of civil service jobs were reserved for southerners, which would then be lost if the country splits.Naib Fatma 16 January 2011 Mixed feelings about Sudan's future https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2011/1/16/mixed-feelings-about-sudans-future live https://web.archive.org/web/20110118021536/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/01/15/mixed-feelings-about-sudans-future 18 January 2011 16 January 2011 Al Jazeera Questions were also asked about the status of tribes such as the Nuba and Misseriya of South Kordofan that inhabit the border regions with South Sudan. 17 January 2011 A question of identity https://www.aljazeera.com/program/crossroads-sudan/2011/1/17/a-question-of-identity live https://web.archive.org/web/20110129025856/http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/crossroadssudan/2011/01/20111178117700490.html 29 January 2011 31 January 2011 Al Jazeera Polls When questioned in a poll prior to the official referendum, 97% of South Sudanese people said that they would be voting for independence.Unabhängigkeits-Referendum im Süd-Sudan am Sonntag http://de.euronews.net/2011/01/06/unabhaengigkeits-referendum-im-sued-sudan-am-sonntag dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110112180732/http://de.euronews.net/2011/01/06/unabhaengigkeits-referendum-im-sued-sudan-am-sonntag 12 January 2011 10 January 2011 Euronews de An early poll of 1,400 individuals was carried out by a coalition of civil society organisations in Southern Sudan prior to the January referendum, indicating that 97% of voters would likely vote for secession. According to John Andruga, chairman of the coalition, 100% of respondents in the states of Unity and Eastern Equatoria would vote for secession. A similar survey carried out one year prior by the US-based National Democratic Institute had indicated that 90% of voters would vote for secession.Bhaskar Ranjit 3 January 2011 Nearly 4m set for south Sudan vote https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/3/nearly-4m-set-for-south-sudan-vote live https://web.archive.org/web/20120712000435/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/01/20111318958753610.html 12 July 2012 13 January 2011 Al Jazeera Controversies Authorities in both the north and south of Sudan have been accused of harassment and intimidation against the media in order to avoid dissenting coverage. Rights groups warned the media could be slapped with further restrictions.Wander Andrew 24 September 2010 How Sudan muzzles its media https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/9/24/how-sudan-muzzles-its-media live https://web.archive.org/web/20101230101435/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/2010/09/2010922174525372943.html 30 December 2010 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera The Youth and Sports Minister, Haj Majid Suwar, of the National Congress Party (NCP) suggested the government "may not recognise the results" and would "talk to ... the USA and the UN and the AU and say that the Sudan People's Liberation Movement didn't fulfill the CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement" by allowing open campaigning and the withdrawal of their soldiers from southern areas.28 September 2010 Sudan ruling party warns south https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/9/28/sudan-ruling-party-warns-south live https://web.archive.org/web/20110130233949/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/09/20109284827369586.html 30 January 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera He also said that the potential borders between them would have to be drawn up pending redeployment of the SPLM's forces to the 1956 border. Salva Kiir, the president of the southern region and the first vice president of Sudan, said that the referendum's timing was important as there was "a risk of a return to war in case of delay or denial of this exercise, and it would be on a very massive scale."Varner Bill https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-22/southern-sudan-independence-referendum-delay-might-reignite-war-kiir-says.html South Sudan Independence Referendum Delay May Reignite War, President Says Bloomberg 22 September 2010 5 January 2011 26 September 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100926180017/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-22/southern-sudan-independence-referendum-delay-might-reignite-war-kiir-says.html live Kuol Deim Kuol, the spokesman for the SPLM's military, accused the NCP of "just looking for a pretext of starting a war" and called Suwar a "war monger." Sudan's president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, accused the SPLM of breaching the terms of the peace deal and warned of a return to conflict if the disputes were not settled before the referendum. Despite that, he said he was committed to holding the referendum, but insisted on settling differences over the shared border and how to share the oil, debt and Nile river water.10 October 2010 Bashir warns of new Sudan civil war https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/10/10/bashir-warns-of-new-sudan-civil-war live https://web.archive.org/web/20110131071058/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/2010101091233114892.html 31 January 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera The NCP accused the SPLM of discouraging southerners who were living in the north of the country from registering, as the SPLM threatened not to recognize the referendum if its demands were not met.22 November 2010 Sudan party issues vote ultimatum https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/22/sudan-party-issues-vote-ultimatum live https://web.archive.org/web/20110203230430/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/11/2010112215452028282.html 3 February 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera Southerners in the North were reluctant to vote because of fears of being uprooted from their homes.Hesitancy in Sudan referendum https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/30/reluctance-in-sudan-referendum live https://web.archive.org/web/20101201045154/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/11/201011305019795300.html 1 December 2010 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en Muslims in the border provinces of the South also expressed fear of a campaign of violence that could be unleashed as a consequence of the referendum.South Sudan braces for trouble https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2010/11/30/south-sudan-braces-for-trouble live https://web.archive.org/web/20101201043750/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/11/20101130135113374957.html 1 December 2010 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en Many feared a return to civil war, should the referendum fail because of the increasingly heated rhetoric.16 October 2010 South Sudan plagued by war fears https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/10/16/south-sudan-plagued-by-war-fears live https://web.archive.org/web/20110131064214/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/10/20101015185026585696.html 31 January 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera Along with Chad, Sudan sought to secure the border area ahead of the referendum.Sudan, Chad in joint army operation https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/12/sudan-chad-in-joint-army-operation live https://web.archive.org/web/20101214052622/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/12/20101212115019143922.html 14 December 2010 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en In addition to warnings of civil war, it was also read that a possible civil war could involve the Lord's Resistance Army and bring Uganda into the conflict."People and Power." Al Jazeera English. 9 January 2011. Despite rifts amongst Southern parties, more than 20 parties ironed over their differences to put a show of unity before the referendum.18 October 2010 S Sudan leaders in show of unity https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/10/18/s-sudan-leaders-in-show-of-unity live https://web.archive.org/web/20110131070850/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/10/20101018112026378865.html 31 January 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal also said the referendum could "reignite violence...rather than bring peace," while he said the vote must be "fair and free."January 2026 The United States extended sanctions against Sudan on 1 November 2010 in order to pressure the government to stick to the referendum deadline.1 November 2010 Obama renews Sudan sanctions https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/1/obama-renews-sudan-sanctions live https://web.archive.org/web/20110205010347/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/11/2010111191135816881.html 5 February 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera The US then offered to drop Sudan from a US list of state-sponsors of terrorism if the two referendums were held on time and the results were respected.8 November 2010 US offers Sudan 'terror list' deal https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/8/us-offers-sudan-terror-list-deal live https://web.archive.org/web/20110203232323/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/11/2010117235958260318.html 3 February 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera They again partook in a statement before the referendum in lauding al-Bashir's statement to respect the vote.Naib Fatma 5 January 2011 US hails Bashir's Sudan comments https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/5/us-hails-bashirs-sudan-comments live https://web.archive.org/web/20110109022504/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111515304362320.html 9 January 2011 10 January 2011 Al Jazeera Following concerns from the UN about delays, representatives of both regions affirmed a commitment to hold the referendum on time;17 November 2010 Sudan rivals vow to hold poll https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/17/sudan-rivals-vow-to-hold-poll live https://web.archive.org/web/20110130233844/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/11/201011176740479144.html 30 January 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera a media campaign was also launched to raise awareness and increase the turnout.3 November 2010 Media campaign under way in Sudan https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/3/media-campaign-under-way-in-sudan live https://web.archive.org/web/20110206071122/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/11/201011384022893153.html 6 February 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera Minni Minnawi, the only Sudan Liberation Army faction signatory to the Darfur Peace Agreement, quit the agreement and resigned his post as Special Advisor to the President, saying the deal had failed. He consequently moved to Juba in the south saying the referendum would be successful as southerners "reject the policy of this [Khartoum] government" and the north would then be a "failed state." In return, the government declared Minnawi an "enemy" and closed his Khartoum office.Darfur leader threatens fight https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/13/darfur-leader-ready-to-do-battle live https://web.archive.org/web/20101215202035/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010121364520272117.html 15 December 2010 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en In December 2010, the Constitutional Court agreed to carry out an investigation into a petition filed by local lawyers seeking the dissolution of the electoral body that was organizing the referendum.McDoom Opheera 2010-12-14 Sudan's highest court to probe vote complaints en Reuters Pearce Tim https://www.reuters.com/article/oukwd-uk-sudan-referendum-court-idAFTRE6BD55120101214 2023-04-19 Despite calls from the government in southern Sudan that northerners living in the south should be protected, some northerners who were uncertain of their future in an independent state started heading north.10 January 2011 Some north Sudanese flee South https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/10/some-north-sudanese-flee-south live https://web.archive.org/web/20110113072745/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/201111061519422957.html 13 January 2011 16 January 2011 Al Jazeera Violence Two days prior to the vote, David Yau Yau's militia and the SPLA clashed outside Pibor.http://allafrica.com/stories/201212260784.html South Sudan: Army in Talks With Jonglei Rebels 24 December 2012 Sudan Tribune AllAfrica.com External precedents Questions were asked if a positive vote on the referendum would set a precedent for other secessionist movements on the African continent. An Al Jazeera English analysis said a few reasons for seeking secession were: a lack of expertise by post-colonial political elites in governing their respective countries and managing natural resources; the impact of the Cold War where many African countries took sides, rendering sovereignty ineffective; tribal prejudices and preferential service that dominate African politics; failure of governments to provide basic freedoms such as guaranteeing full citizenship for all. Citing these examples, it asked where such a precedent for secession could lead: East Sudan and Darfur, Nigeria or South Africa. As two important members of the African Union the latter two could be reluctant to support a new independent southern Sudan as a recognition thereof could "send a very clear message to these groups in their struggle for autonomy."Fakude Thembisa 7 November 2010 A lesson for Africa? https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/7/a-lesson-for-africa live https://web.archive.org/web/20101231050112/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/2010/11/20101161492456436.html 31 December 2010 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera Monitors January 2011 Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former Tanzanian Prime Minister Joseph Warioba led the Carter Center international observation delegation. 3 January 2011 Carter and Kofi Annan – Referendum on Self-Determination of Southern Sudan http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/sudan-010311.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20110209112750/http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/sudan-010311.html 9 February 2011 31 January 2011 Cartercenter.org US Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, visited Southern Sudan three times during the referendum period, including during polling.Stockman Farah 10 January 2011 Kerry hails peaceful independence vote in southern Sudan Boston Globe http://archive.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/01/10/kerry_hails_peaceful_independence_vote_in_southern_sudan/ live 31 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120910024058/http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/01/10/kerry_hails_peaceful_independence_vote_in_southern_sudan/ 10 September 2012 Actor George Clooney, who is supporting the Satellite Sentinel ProjectFront page | Satellite Sentinel Project http://www.satsentinel.org/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110131223158/http://www.satsentinel.org/ 31 January 2011 31 January 2011 Satsentinel.org (using satellites as a conflict early warning system for Sudan), also made visits to Sudan during the referendum period. Several major regional organisations deployed international observers, including the African Union,http://www.au.int/en/content/arrival-statement-african-union-observer-mission-southern-sudan-referendum Arrival Statement of the African Union Observer Mission to the Southern Sudan Referendum. | African Union Au.int 31 January 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110722091847/http://www.au.int/en/content/arrival-statement-african-union-observer-mission-southern-sudan-referendum 22 July 2011 the European Union,http://www.eueom.eu/sudan2011/home EU Election Observation Mission to Sudan 2011 – EU EOM Sudan 2011 – Election Observation – European Commission Eueom.eu 31 January 2011 18 July 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110718103849/http://www.eueom.eu/sudan2011/home live the League of Arab States and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).http://igad.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=280:referendum-of-southern-sudan-observation-mission&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=150 Southern Sudan Observation Mission Igad.int 5 January 2011 31 January 2011 8 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110308013450/http://igad.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=280:referendum-of-southern-sudan-observation-mission&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=150 live These organisations issued a joint press statement on the first day of polling.http://www.africa-union.org/root/ar/index/Joint%20Press%20Release%20Jan%209%20FINAL.pdf Joint Press Release African Union, Carter Center, European Union, League of Arab States 9 January 2011 23 February 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110919170807/http://www.africa-union.org/root/ar/index/Joint%20Press%20Release%20Jan%209%20FINAL.pdf 19 September 2011 Domestic observation organisations also deployed Sudanese men and women to observe the process, these included the Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (SuNDE),http://www.democracysudan.org/ Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections Democracysudan.org 20 January 2011 31 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20101204123415/http://www.democracysudan.org/ 4 December 2010 dead the Sudan Domestic Elections Monitoring Programme (SuDEMOP)http://www.undp-sssr.org/images/sudemopbrochure.pdf undp-sssr.org undp-sssr.org 6 December 2011 May 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes and the Sudanese Group for Democracy and Elections (SuGDE). OtherJanuary 2011 national civil society organisations were also accredited as observers. Normally, the UN does not deploy electoral observers, however, in response to a request from the parties of the CPA, the United Nations Secretary-General's Panel on the Referenda in Sudan was established.https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sgsm13123.doc.htm Secretary-General Appoints Panel to Monitor Self-Determination Referenda in Sudan United Nations 21 September 2010 31 January 2011 3 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110503034945/http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sgsm13123.doc.htm live The panel is composed of three senior officials, former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal António Monteiro, and Bhojraj Pokharel, a former Chairman of the Election Commission of Nepal, who are appointed by and report to the UN Secretary-General. The panel made periodic visits to Sudan during the referendum period and is supported by field reporting officers and stakeholder-observer liaison officers. Registration Registration for the vote started on 15 November with Salva Kiir's appeal for registering en masse. Many of those who fled South Sudan during the civil war returned in the months and weeks leading up to the referendum, with some southern politicians trying to have them play a role in swinging the vote towards independence.25 October 2010 Braving odds for South Sudan vote https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/10/25/braving-odds-for-south-sudan-vote live https://web.archive.org/web/20110206191954/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/10/20101019171525461780.html 6 February 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera4 January 2011 Southern Sudanese return home https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/3/southern-sudanese-return-home live https://web.archive.org/web/20110109052418/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/201113113026611191.html 9 January 2011 5 January 2011 Al Jazeera Almost four million citizens registered before the deadline on 5 December; as the stream of returnees continued unabated, however, many arrived too late to register for the referendum.Registration starts for Sudan vote https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/15/registration-starts-for-sudan-vote live https://web.archive.org/web/20121103213057/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2010/11/2010111513340303230.html 3 November 2012 2023-04-19 Al Jazeera en6 January 2011 South Sudan's lost voters https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/6/south-sudans-lost-voters live https://web.archive.org/web/20110110183708/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/201116101519232730.html 10 January 2011 10 January 2011 Al Jazeera Results thumb|right|Voting form used in the referendum Voting on the referendum began on 9 January 2011. On 12 January, after three days of voting, representatives of the SPLA/M announced that, according to their estimates, the 60 percent turnout threshold required for the referendum's validity (corresponding to around 2.3 million voters) had been reached. Official confirmation came later the same day when the referendum commission released a statement announcing that turnout would "exceed" the required 60 percent threshold.12 January 2011 Official: South Sudan Voter Turnout to Reach 60 Percent Threshold VOA News https://www.voanews.com/a/south-sudan-vote-passes-60-percent-participation--113343384/133420.html live 13 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110115003738/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/South-Sudan-Vote-Passes-60-Percent-Participation--113343384.html 15 January 2011 Jimmy Carter expressed his belief on 13 January that the referendum would likely meet international standards for both the conduct of the vote and freedom of voters.13 January 2011 Carter: South Sudan Vote Will Meet International Standards VOA News https://www.voanews.com/a/carter-south-sudan-vote-will-meet-intl-standards-113456214/157214.html live 13 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110115012400/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/east/Carter-South-Sudan-Vote-Will-Meet-Intl-Standards-113456214.html 15 January 2011 The United Nations reported that preliminary results would be expected by 2 February 2011, with final results expected within the following two weeks.Straziuso Jason 12 January 2011 Turnout in Southern Sudan vote passes 60 percent https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110112/ap_on_re_af/af_southern_sudan_referendum dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110116032710/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110112/ap_on_re_af/af_southern_sudan_referendum 16 January 2011 16 January 2011 Yahoo! News According to preliminary counts reviewed by the Associated Press, consisting of 30,000 ballots in 10 polling stations, the sample had a 95% turnout with 96% in favour of secession, 3% in favour of unityFick Maggie 2011-01-16 S.Sudan early returns show big vote for secession https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-ssudan-early-returns-show-big-vote-for-secession-2011jan15-story.html 2023-04-19 San Diego Union-Tribune en-US and the rest invalid. Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil, chairman of the referendum commission, said 83 percent of eligible voters in the south and 53 percent in the north had voted.Sudan vote trend points at split https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/16/sudan-vote-trend-points-at-split live https://web.archive.org/web/20110309175625/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011116101436101586.html 9 March 2011 16 January 2011 Al Jazeera The South Sudan Referendum Commission affirmed the validity of the vote, however the vote was still ongoing at the time.January 2026 As voting ended, Sudan again vowed to recognise the result.January 2026 Separation 3792518 Unity 44888 8366 6222 3947676 Southern Sudan Referendum Commissionhttp://southernsudan2011.com/sites/default/files/Final_Results_Report_20110206_1512.pdf Southern Sudan Referendum Final Results Report Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau 30 January 2011 2 February 2011 17 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160317033415/http://southernsudan2011.com/sites/default/files/Final_Results_Report_20110206_1512.pdf dead Diaspora voting Southerners living in Darfur were given the opportunity to vote in the referendum from special polling stations as some tribes advocated unity and others supported separation with possible ominous precedence for Darfur itself.al-Saleh Omar 9 January 2011 Mixed feelings in Darfur http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/01/09/mixed-feelings-darfur dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110115191237/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/01/09/mixed-feelings-darfur 15 January 2011 16 January 2011 Al Jazeera Polling stations were also set up in eight countries with large South Sudanese populations, namely Australia, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the United Kingdom and the United States. In the United States, where an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 South Sudanese nationals reside, polling booths were opened in eight states: Virginia, Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, Nebraska, Arizona and Washington.Terrett John 10 January 2011 Sudan vote in USA https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2011/1/10/sudan-vote-in-usa live https://web.archive.org/web/20110112141344/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/americas/2011/01/10/sudan-vote-usa 12 January 2011 16 January 2011 Al Jazeera Similar polling booths were set up in the Canadian cities of Calgary and Toronto, to cater to the South Sudanese community there; an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 SudaneseJanuary 2011 live in Canada, about 2,200 of whom had registered to vote in either of the two cities.Babin Tom 9 January 2011 Some Sudanese-Canadians boycott referendum over fears of bias Calgary Herald Postmedia News https://montrealgazette.com/news/world/Some+Sudanese+Canadians+boycott+referendum+over+fears+bias/4082370/story.html dead 10 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110113101523/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/world/Some+Sudanese+Canadians+boycott+referendum+over+fears+bias/4082370/story.html 13 January 2011 Members of the South Sudanese diaspora have been split as to their support for or against separation; members of some tribes advocate unity, while members of other tribes supported separation. Some Canadian Sudanese have called for a boycott of the referendum, accusing the International Organization for Migration, which was tasked with operating the vote in that country, of "being influenced by the government in Khartoum." Calgary-based journalist Mading Ngor of The New Sudan Vision dismissed these claims as "a conspiracy theory," adding "It's a very fragmented community here along tribal lines." Although over 99% of those in the South voted for independence, 42% of those who lived in the north at the time voted for unity.Karimi Faith 22 January 2011 Report: Vote for South Sudan independence nearly unanimous CNN http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/22/sudan.referendum.results/index.html?_s=PM:WORLD live 2 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20121006193459/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-22/world/sudan.referendum.results_1_preliminary-results-official-results-election-officials?_s=PM:WORLD 6 October 2012 In the United States, SPLM national secretary for external relations Suzan Jambo later credited Mangok Mangok Mayen, then head of the SPLM's U.S. national secretariat, with mobilizing people during the referendum.1 December 2014 SPLM chapter members in the US elect new chairperson https://sudantribune.com/article/51882 6 October 2026 Sudan Tribune Security Several days before voting began, the SPLA/M and a rebel faction led by Lieutenant General George Athor in Jonglei State agreed to a ceasefire agreement after nearly a year of fighting, meaning a halt to military operations, troop movement and recruitment by either side. The agreement was seen as important for a "peaceful voting environment".Mutasa Haru 6 January 2011 Sudan's SPLA signs pact with rebels http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/2011168020395407.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110110161540/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/2011168020395407.html 10 January 2011 10 January 2011 Al Jazeera The day before voting began, at least six people were killed in clashes between South Sudan security forces and a pro-Khartoum Sudan militia in Unity state. One person was also killed in clashes between the Misseriya tribe and police in Abyei. The SPLA/M said the fighting started a day earlier because of the Misseriya.Deadly clashes ahead of Sudan vote https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/8/deadly-clashes-ahead-of-sudan-vote live https://web.archive.org/web/20110110010153/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111813935854947.html 10 January 2011 10 January 2011 Al Jazeera One day into the vote, on 10 January, a further 6 people were killed in clashes near Abyei, bringing the total to 30 dead in that region.Copnall James 10 January 2011 Clashes during south Sudan referendum en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-12158129 2023-04-19 Reactions thumb|U.S. Senator John Kerry said that the referendum represented a "new chapter" for Sudan. Domestic As of 15 January, Radio France Internationale reported that the Sudanese central government in Khartoum had begun to recall ambassadors named by the SPLA as part of the CPA and had stopped shipping material for passports to Juba.O'Kadameri Billie 2011-01-13 Southern government reacts to Khartoum "provocation" https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20110113-southern-government-reacts-khartoum-provocation live https://web.archive.org/web/20110123064621/http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20110113-southern-government-reacts-khartoum-provocation 23 January 2011 2023-04-19 RFI en Sudan also became the first state to recognize South Sudan. International President of the United States Barack Obama said the result of the vote was "inspiring" as voters decided "their own future [and marked] another step forward in Africa's long journey toward justice and democracy". He also said that the United States would recognize South Sudan's independence when it is formalized in July. Salva Kiir met the leaders of the Polisario Front Mohamed Abdelaziz at an African Union summit. Abdel-Aziz congratulated Kiir for on a successful referendum process. He lauded "the wisdom and courage" of people of South Sudan people for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and expressed his hope that post-referendum arrangements and agreements could be finishing in the interim period before statehood. He also briefed Kiir of the Western Sahara's process to a similar referendum.Southern Sudan leader meets with Polisario Front chief: report https://sudantribune-com.webpkgcache.com/doc/-/s/sudantribune.com/article37495/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20110629061434/http://www.sudantribune.com/Southern-Sudan-leader-meets-with,37838 29 June 2011 11 July 2011 Sudan Tribune February 2011 Analysis The precedence of the vote was seen as important because most African states' borders were decided during colonial times which resulted in a heterogeneous mix of religions, ethnicities, and cultures. The Organisation of African Unity, however, refrained from redrawing boundaries for the fear that wars of secession could be sparked.https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2011/0209/Sudan-after-the-referendum-a-test-case-for-Africa Sudan after the referendum: a test case for Africa The Christian Science Monitor 9 February 2011 11 July 2011 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024119/http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2011/0209/Sudan-after-the-referendum-a-test-case-for-Africa live Aftermath July 2011 New names for an independent country were being suggested, with South Sudan being controversial as it does not offer a break from Sudan.Mutasa Haru 23 January 2011 Southern Sudanese debate new name https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/23/southern-sudanese-debate-new-name live https://web.archive.org/web/20110131080752/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/2011123125023126139.html 31 January 2011 31 January 2011 Al Jazeera Over 12 names had been suggested, including: Nile Republic, Jubian Republic, Kush Republic and Azania.Kron Josh 24 January 2011 Southern Sudan Nears a Decision on One Matter: Its New Name The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/world/africa/24sudan.html live limited 6 December 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20170906191623/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/world/africa/24sudan.html 6 September 2017 The SPLM proposed naming the country South Sudan, with Nile Republic, Jubian Republic, Kush Republic as other possibilities.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12478957 BBC News South Sudan chosen as name for new country 16 February 2011 20 June 2018 31 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171231055504/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12478957 live The country was then officially named the Republic of South Sudan. Amongst the issues to be handled by a new government are job creation.26 February 2011 South Sudan's big challenge https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/2/26/south-sudans-big-challenge live https://web.archive.org/web/20110629083624/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/02/201122695029186725.html 29 June 2011 11 July 2011 Al Jazeera Violence The Minister of Cooperatives and Rural Development Jimmy Lemi Milla was shot dead in his office along with his bodyguard in an apparent personal feud.9 February 2011 South Sudan minister shot dead https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/2/9/south-sudan-minister-shot-dead live https://web.archive.org/web/20110629023222/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201129133511388343.html 29 June 2011 11 July 2011 Al Jazeera See also 1999 East Timorese independence referendum 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum References 30em External links Republic of South Sudan: Challenges and Opportunities Southern Sudan Referendum Commission Southern Sudan Referendum Results website (SSRC and SSRB) UNDP Support to the Southern Sudan Referendum USAID Support to the Southern Sudan Referendum Media in Cooperation and Transition a – group of Sudanese journalists covering the referendum. Sudan Vote MonitorJanuary 2011 – Sudan Vote Monitor is a collaboration of several Sudanese civil society organisations for independent monitoring of elections Sudan Referendum https://web.archive.org/web/20190809051458/http://www.gurtong.net/SudanReferendum/tabid/440/Default.aspx 9 August 2019 at Gurtong Sudan: One Country or Two? collected news and commentary at Aljazeera English South Sudan Referendum collected news and commentary at BBC News Sudan's Referendum at IRIN News Sudan Referendum: "A Real Turning Point for the People of Africa" – video report by Democracy Now! Photo Gallery by USAID Sudan: Ready to Vote – slideshow by Life magazine Independence South Sudan South Sudan South Sudan Category:Referendums in South Sudan Category:Referendums in Sudan Category:Separatism in Sudan South Sudan Category:South Sudan–Sudan relations