Emotional temperatures have started rising in Sudan in anticipation of the 2011 referendum in which the southern part of the country will vote on independence. Numerous allegations of skulduggery have been reported to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, reflecting the tensions between the National Congress Party, which is the party of the government, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, which draws its support from the south of the country.
Voter registration commenced about two weeks ago. During the first week of registration, about 1 million people in the south registered, compared with about 20,000 in the north. Only southerners are eligible to register, so it is necessary for registration officials to identify whether prospective registrants are from the south. The NCP claims that the officials are deliberately refusing to register people in the north.
Many southerners live in the north of the country for economic reasons: jobs, infrastructure and opportunities are more readily available there. However, it is feared that there will be a significant backlash against southerners living in the north if the south, as expected, votes for independence. Accordingly, many southerners are reluctant to identify themselves by registering. The tensions will continue to increase as the referendum day approaches.