SUDAN REFERENDUM

There is going to be referendum in Sudan on 9th January. This would decide the fate of the Africa’s largest country, whether it gets divided into north and the south following the mandate by its people. The southern region is populated by animists and Christians whereas the north is Islamic. South is rich in oil but is land locked. North Sudan has no minerals but has long shoreline along the red sea. The capital Khartoum is in north. North is being funded by China and the Arab world.

The referendum would result in the culmination of peace process started in 2005 after two decades of war. The doomsday forecasters argue that there would be conflict on the day of referendum. Both sides have been piling up the weapons since then. Khartoum would not gain in initiating the war because that would act as an excuse for the south and there by increase the pressure of Israel and US on the north.
The other point of contention is Abyei region. This region is disputed region in the middle of north and south.