Moi backs South Sudan Independence
Addressing journalists at the University of Juba on Saturday, Moi said he wants Southern Sudan to have good relations with its neighbour (Northern Sudan) after the referendum. Moi told reporters upon his arrival at the Juba international airport on Thursday 9 December 2010, that his visit to Juba this time was to wish the people of Southern Sudan a successful referendum. Moi was already in Juba during the inauguration of Salva Kiir as the president after winning the general elections earlier this year.
“There are fears that if Southern Sudan becomes independent, the Nile will be tampered with, this is absolutely wrong,”
The former Kenyan president dismissed fears that other countries have about the Nile although he did not mention which country particularly. “There are fears that if Southern Sudan becomes independent, the Nile will be tampered with, this is absolutely wrong,” he said. Moi was the president of Kenya during the 21 year civil war in the Sudan. A big number of Southern Sudanese went to Kenya for refuge and up to date Kenya still hosts some refugees who have not returned to Southern Sudan after the peace.
Currently thousands of Kenyans are in Southern Sudan, either in the private sector or as employees of Non-Governmental Organisations. Kenyan business enterprises such as banks are also excelling with huge profits in Southern Sudan. For example, the Kenyan Commercial Bank, and Equity Bank have branches in different towns in Southern Sudan. Southern Sudan also imports food items and building materials from its neighbours. It is a common interest of Kenya and Southern Sudan to protect this mutual economic benefit.
Moi is not the only Kenyan politician who supports the separation of Southern Sudan from the North. On Thursday this week, a delegation of Kenyan members of Parliament addressed a public rally organised by the Southern Sudan Youth for Seperation in Bor, Jonglei State. This increase in visits by Kenyan officials is a clear indication that South Sudan neighbours do not wish Sudan to go back to war as it would have as well a big impact on the neighbouring countries.
Kenya also maintains good relationships with the Northern Sudan. President Mwai Kibaki recently invited the Sudanese President, Omar Al Bashir for the Promulgation of the New Constitution of Kenya. This move was criticised by many western countries because Al Bashir is indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as charges on Genocide committed in Darfur.
The flexible relationships of Kenya with Northern and Southern Sudan could be considered as a good gesture indicating that supporting separation of Southern Sudan from the North is not aimed at destabilising the North, but a political separation where the two parts can live in peace with each other.
