WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

 

SUDAN REFERENDUM - VOTE IN SOUTH on UNITED or DIVIDED COUNTRY

WOMEN OF SUDAN HOPE FOR PEACE

http://www.womenforwomen.org/news-women-for-women/sudan-referendum-2011.php

 

Video - Stand with Southern Sudan Women:

http://www.womenforwomen.org/news-women-for-women/stand-with-sudanese-women.php?roi=echo3-7752815822-5133497-729b30c645ea2e458ada96a8c4629fe5&

 

Program participants gather outside the Rumbek office before beginning classes for the day.

What is the 2011 Sudan referendum?

A Women for Women International-Sudan class is taught in Rumbek.

During Sudan’s civil war, more than two million people were killed, four million more were displaced by the conflict and two million women were raped. To put a stop to the violence, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, ending the 22-year-long civil war between North and South Sudan. The agreement is the impetus for the coming referendum; it states that following a six-year period, southern Sudanese can vote on whether to remain a part of a united Sudan or to secede.

When and where is the referendum?

Scheduled to take place January 9, 2011, the referendum will take place in the south and will allow southern Sudanese to decide if they want to remain part of a united Sudan or form a new country. In addition, a referendum is planned for Abyei, a disputed area on the border. The citizens of Abyei will vote on whether to join either North or South Sudan in secession. Voter registration runs November 15-December 8, 2010.

What does the referendum mean for the people of Sudan?

Illiteracy among Sudanese women is being addressed by our programs; we teach women basic literacy skills such as reading and writing.

The referendum process has already been fraught with threats of violence and renewed conflict as North and South remain suspicious of one another, fearing that the other side is trying to derail the process

Tension between the two regions is expected, as the referendum has several substantial implications:

                Mass Displacement — If the South votes for separation—which observers believe it will—both sides must come to agreement about how to treat northern Sudanese living in the south and vice versa, as well as the country’s nomadic groups who travel between the two regions. It is estimated that about 1.5 million southern Sudanese live in the north—all of whom have been threatened with expulsion if the south votes for independence.

                Oil Crisis — South Sudan is rich in oil; it is estimated that more than 70 percent of the country’s oil reserves and production take place there. However, the oil pipeline that carries the oil to port runs through North Sudan. Oil revenue makes up 98 percent of the government’s budget in South Sudan and 60 percent of Khartoum’s budget. A vote for secession would mean further negotiations on how to define oil production and revenue sharing between the two countries.

                Fear of Violence — If the vote is seen as unfair, forced or is unpopular with militia groups, there is a major concern that violence could erupt between the two countries, resulting in a return to civil war.

Why is the referendum important?

Participants in our Sudan program collect produce from the CIFI program to be sold at market.

In addition to fulfilling the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the vote is a democratic means of conflict resolution that will allow southern Sudanese to feel their voices are heard without the destruction, loss and violence of civil war. A peaceful and credible election would be a necessary and important symbol of the possibility for true peace following decades of violence and fear. For the women of Sudan, the vote means an important opportunity to make their voices heard as to the direction of their country and the chance to continue rebuilding their lives and communities in a peaceful environment.

How will the vote affect Women for Women International-Sudan?

It remains to be seen how the referendum will affect our programs in southern Sudan. The organization, however, will monitor the situation carefully and, should violence break out, Women for Women International will take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the women we serve, as well as our staff. Violence in the area could lead to a temporary hold on south Sudan programs.