Sudan prepares for crucial independence vote

Final preparations are underway ahead of a crucial vote in Sudan.

Africa’s largest country is likely to be split in two after an independence referendum on Sunday.

The plan to establish a separate nation of South Sudan is the climax of a 2005 peace deal. It ended a civil war that killed at least two million people.

Almost four million Sudanese are signed up to cast a ballot. This includes roughly half the population of the south, citizens living abroad and some voters living in the north.

Despite the signing of the peace accord in Nairobi, the two sides remain split on numerous issues. But the US State department says it is optimistic ahead of the vote. This despite accusations of voter intimidation and a fear of reprisals should the south separate.

Debate has raged about the splitting of the country in two, and many public meetings were organised to canvas opinion.

“The two parties have not discussed issues like post referendum issues,” said one man in Khartoum. “Oil, nationality, borders and other issues.”

It is true that both sides have only managed to establish about 80 per cent of a new border.

The fate of the disputed region of Abyei, for example, could prove to be a future flashpoint, on top of the ongoing tension over how to share oil revenue.

Crude oil provides 45 percent of government revenues in the north and up to 98 percent in the south.

If an independent south is established, Juba is likely to be its capital.

But one of the challenges will be to make sure the security efforts deployed there spread to the rest of the south.

For example, one of the big problems raised by aid groups is the high incidence of child abductions.

Observers say South Sudan will need massive support in the years to come.

Copyright © 2012 euronews