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Independence Referendum – 2005

The 2005 CPA provided that the people of South Sudan would have right to self-determination and, in this regard, people of south Sudan would have the option to confirm unity or to vote for secession. South Sudan’s right to self-determination was incorporated in the interim constitution (Article 219). As such, the people of south Sudan would exercise their self-determination in a referendum that was to be held by the end of six year interim period. Similarly, the CPA gave the residents of Abyei the opportunity to cast a separate ballot in order to make a choice between retaining its special administrative status in the north or being a part of South Sudan. This provision was also incorporated into the interim constitution (Article 183.3). The constitution came into effect on 9 July 2005.[fn]”The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, March 2006.[/efn_note]