Al Bashir reassures southern Sudan

Juba, Sudan: On a rare visit to this southern town yesterday, Sudan's President Omar Al Bashir told southerners he would celebrate the result of Sunday's referendum on southern independence "even if you choose secession."

"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," Al Bashir said in a speech to senior officials broadcast live on state television.

He had earlier been greeted by southern leader Salva Kiir on his arrival at Juba airport, where he was given a red carpet welcome by senior southern politicians, religious leaders and a guard of honour from the combined armed forces of north and south Sudan.

In his speech, Bashir said unity was the best choice for the southerners, but he also insisted he wanted good relations with the south if it chooses independence. "Anything you need in terms of technical, logistical or professional support from Khartoum, you will find us ready to give it," he said.

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Riek Machar, Vice-President of South Sudan, said he hoped Al Bashir would keep his promise and that it would "assure southerners that their northern neighbours mean well".

Big decision

More than 3.5 million southerners are registered to participate in the referendum, which will give them the chance to vote on whether to remain united with the north or secede.

Voting is due to start on Sunday and last for a week.

Sudanese living in the UAE told Gulf News they had mixed feelings about the country's potential split, but most said it would be a "tragedy".

"Southern Sudanese are very different culturally, ethnically and religiously, but splitting the country would amount to taking a child from his mother," Bashir Makkawi, a Sharjah University employee, said.

Key issues remain unresolved as the vote approaches and fierce rounds of negotiations are expected to follow on post-referendum arrangements, with oil sharing, a disputed border and citizenship at the top of the agenda.

— With inputs from Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporter