Sudanese President appoints chairman, members of referendum commission

22:08, June 30, 2010       

 

 

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Wednesday appointed chairman and members for a referendum commission to supervise the referendum on southern Sudan's self- determination scheduled in January, 2011.

According to the republican decree issued by the president, the commission will be chaired by Mohammed Ibrahim Khalil, a lawyer who served as the country's foreign minister and speaker of the parliament during 1986 to 1988.

Bashir also appointed Chan Rek Madut as the deputy chairman and Dr. Suad Ibrahim Eisa, Deng Awur, Kamal Ali Mohamed Saleh, Juwal Shuwang, Tariq Osman al-Tahir el-Shiekh, Paulino Wanawilla and Setti Abyei as its members.

The Sudanese National Assembly (parliament) Monday endorsed the referendum commission, six months before the referendum. The southerners will then vote for either to secede or remain united with north Sudan, as stipulated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), inked between north and south in 2005.

The referendum commission will be responsible for registering eligible voters, providing mechanisms for the referendum and facilitating southerners living outside the region.

Source:Xinhua