Sudan a symbol of African Unity
Former Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity Salim Ahmed Salim has spoken out ahead of the referendum, urging Northern and Southern Sudan to find common understanding and avoid conflict. Whether the South will opt for secession or for unity, whatever comes out should be a situation handled with care and caution so that there is no violence”, he said. I urge that the possibility of having the referendum should not state a contrivance because then it will lead to problems”, he added.
Salim, who is also a former African Union Special Envoy for the Darfur conflict, joined an ever-growing number of international diplomatic figures who are paying close attention and pushing for the referendum to proceed peacefully.
\"I am among those who will respect the discussion of the people of the Sudan.”
Speaking to the press in Nairobi he said that whatever decision will be made should be done in such a way that the North and South continue to cooperate and work together for the common good of the people. As a person following the development in Sudan, I am among those who will respect the discussion of the people of the Sudan”, he stressed. If South Sudan opts to get out, then I will not blame them because there has been a strong debate on making Unity attractive\".
If the South decides to separate, the maintaining of peace and cohesion in the Sudan will face many challenges. Tensions may arise on lines of religion, ethnicity and colour differences.
Salim argued that keeping the peace is important not just for Sudan but also for the sub-region and even the whole continent. I am concerned that the repercussions could not be confined to Sudan but may spread to the rest of the sub-regions’’, he said. Salim advised that failing to realise the importance of involving everyone will result in a failed state.
