South Sudan Welcomes President Bashir Reassurances

South Sudan Welcomes President Bashir Reassurances

South Sudan 's Information Minister, Dr. Barnaba Benjamin has welcomed reassurances by the Sudanese president that he will respect Sunday's referendum on southern independence.

Dr. Benjamin said he was pleased that President Omar al-Bashir had accepted the referendum.

He said the vote would allow the people of South Sudan to decide their own future for the first time since 1898.

On his final visit to the south before the referendum, Mr. Bashir said that he would be sad to see Sudan split in two but, added he would be happy if that brought ‘real peace' to both sides.

Analysts said President Bashir's remarks reflect a growing realisation by the Sudanese government that it cannot prevent the week-long referendum.

The vote is part of a 2005 deal that ended a two-decades-long war.

''We are pleased at the end of the day, despite difficulties and challenges, President Bashir had to realise that this agreement is not just between the Sudanese alone but it involves the whole international community,'' said Dr. Benjamin.

"The biggest challenge was whether we would finish the registration of voters, a thing which we have successfully done now. We have registered something like 3,900,000 . "

Earlier, speaking in the southern capital Juba, Mr. Bashir said: "I personally will be sad if Sudan splits. But at the same time I will be happy if we have peace in Sudan between the two sides."

He added: "Anything you need in terms of technical, logistical or professional support from Khartoum , you will find us ready to give it. The benefit we get from unity, we can also get from two separate states."

Southern Sudan has been marginalised by a succession of governments in Khartoum , from colonial times.

BBC/Margaret/Yinka