Kenya Warns International Community Against Interfering in Sudan’s Referendum
Prime Minister - Raila Odinga
Kenya is calling on international community to support Sudan and help avert political violence in Sudan in the forthcoming referendum on independence for the Southern Sudan. In a press statement by Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s press unit, The PM warned the United Nations, the African Union and the USA against taking sides in the vote to determine the future of Southern Sudan. At the same time Kenya has denied reports that it was assisting the government of Southern Sudan to re-arm as political violence looks even more imminent. The PM’s statement came after reports from the AU meeting in Addis Ababa quoted the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon vowing to ‘avoid the secession of south Sudan in a referendum’ though he later retracted the comments
The AU also appeared to oppose secession, a position that risks setting the international community against proponents of independence in the region.Kenya played host to mediation talks that culminated in the signing of the CPA that ended 21 years of fighting between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/ Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLA/SPLM). Mr Odinga further expressed concern that senior United Nations officials and the African Union are opposed to the referendum’s option of creating a sovereign nation in the South. He said such a stand would undermine the principle of peaceful resolution of disputes of which the CPA is an outstanding example globally. “Having done so much to advance this historic process of self-determination, it is preposterous that anyone would seek a pre-determined outcome in the referendum,” he added.
Mr Odinga pointed out that by the agreement coming to its current conclusive stage it was a tribute to the African Union which courageously broke with precedent and recognised that in the Sudan peace and development would not be divisive but actually strengthened if people of the south could exercise their right to self-determination. He noted that the United Nations had also supported this historic initiative and will oversee the elections and the referendum.
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