South Sudan leaders reach deal on secession
The rulers of south Sudan have reached agreement with the national government that the south could secede if a majority of voters support independence in a referendum due in 2011…A civil war between the Arab-led north and rebels from the marginalised south began in the 1950s and became one of Africa’s longest and bloodiest conflicts.
If war restarts, it could trigger a new humanitarian crisis – an estimated 2m people died in the war from 1983-2005 – and threaten Sudan’s oil industry, in which China is a key player.
Mr Amum said the stand-off over the details of the referendum had been the result of Mr Bashir’s regime “trying to betray the people of Sudan”.
