Sudan postpones for two years referendum on south Sudan's independence

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has decided to postpone the referendum to be held on the independence of southern Sudan for two years, while the governor of the Central Bank of Sudan Saber Hassan said he is optimistic that the improved relations with the US will help reduce Sudan's debts and open new sources for finance.

The Sudanese news agency said that al-Bashir extended for two years a provisional phase of four years expired on March 8 which was basically scheduled to be followed by the referendum. This phase, according to the new postponement will be extended until March 8, 2004.

The Sudanese news agency added that the Sudanese president took this decision according to a recommendation from the Coordination Council of Southern Sudan which includes representatives for the government and the rebel groups and is in charge of supervising the situation in the southern part of the country.

However, a civil war has been taking place between the rebels in southern Sudan and the successive Sudanese governments in the north. In 1997, the Sudanese government signed in Khartoum signed with seven groups of the rebels a peace agreement which states to establish the Coordination Council for Southern Sudan and to carry out a referendum after four years, during which the citizens of south Sudan will vote for the independence of their district from Sudan.