Colonel Qadhafi has said that Southern Sudanese would be better united than independent from their Northern counterparts. Qadhafi, who was one of the key supporters of the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) since its inception in the 1980s, has urged the Southerners to remain united with the North in the upcoming self-determination referendum.
"As for south Sudan, the matter depends on referendum, even though I advice brothers in the south to stay with the great Sudan instead of a dwarf country in the south" said Qadhafi.
According to a number of in-country sources the South Sudan president, and SPLM chairman, Salva Kiir was assured by Colonel Qadhafi of his support for southern Sudan's independence, and informed that if the Southerners vote for independence “they shouldn't be frightened of anybody” because he “will stand with them”.
Kiir added that Qadhafi stated that the British colonial power made a mistake when they allowed South Sudan to be part of the North back in 1956, and quoted the Libya leader as saying that “they should have been separated either to become an independent state or join any country in east Africa”.
Colonel Qadhafi has since reiterated that he would support the independence of South Sudan, if its citizens decide so in the 2011 referendum, most notably in a meeting with Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) leader Khalil Ibrahim, but it appears the Colonel has changed his mind once again.
Source: Sudan Tribute
For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus, Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.
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