Southern Sudan votes in independence poll

Millions of Southern Sudanese have voted in a landmark referendum on independence from the north.

The week-long vote looks set to split Africa’s largest country in two.

The poll was promised as part of a 2005 peace deal that ended a brutal civil war.

Turnout is expected to be high and observers say the election has been well planned.

“The organisation is good and everything required for the vote is in place. The most important thing is voter registration and that is very high,” said Sadam el Karem from the Arab League.

Violence has been reported between rebels and the Southern Sudan military in the oil-rich Unity state and Arab nomads have clashed with southerners over grazing rights in the oil producing Abyei area.

As the mainly Christian south prepares for independence, the predominantly Muslim north has greeted the potential loss of huge swathes of land and oil with resignation and some resentment.

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir, campaigned for unity, but has vowed to respect the vote.

Euronews’ correspondent Mohamed Elhamy in Juba said: “The countdown to the vote is now over, but many believe a new one begins, to a new and divided Sudan.”

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