« Back to Provision

Independence Referendum – 2011

The referendum for southern Sudan took place from 9 to 15 January 2011. The referendum was conducted in the Sudan and in eight out-of-country-voting (OCV) countries (with the exception of an OCV centre in Brisbane, where the polling continued until 18 January).¹ On 7 February 2011, the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission announced the final results for the Referendum. 1.17% of valid votes were cast in favor of unity and 98.83% of valid votes were cast in favor of secession, with a 97.58% voter turnout (3,851,994 registered voters).² This confirms the provision related to self-determination for southern Sudan was implemented. Nevertheless, the Abyei referendum did not take place as the north and south couldn’t agree on who was eligible to vote.³ Southern Sudan called for a referendum for Abyei and insisted that Abyei belonged to south Sudan.⁴

Southern Sudan became an independent state of South Sudan on 9 July 2011.

1. “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, January 2011.
2. “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, February 2011.
3. “Southern Sudan Official: Abyei Belongs with Us,” Associated Press Online, April 29, 2011.
4. “Sudan; South Calls for Abyei Referendum,” Africa News, May 26, 2011.