Right of Self-Determination: Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Implementations
Right of Self-Determination – 2005
The 2005 CPA provided that the people of South Sudan would have the right to self-determination and, in this regard, the people of south Sudan would have the option to confirm the unity or to vote for secession. South Sudan’s right to self-determination was incorporated in the interim constitution (Article 219). Similarly, the CPA gave the residents of Abyei the option to cast a separate ballot and to make a choice between retaining its special administrative status in the north or to be part of Bahr el Ghazal. This provision was also incorporated in the interim constitution (Article 183.3). The constitution came into effect on 9 July 2005.1
Right of Self-Determination – 2006
No developments observed this year.
Right of Self-Determination – 2007
No developments observed this year.
Right of Self-Determination – 2008
No developments observed this year.
Right of Self-Determination – 2009
As provided for in 2005 CPA, the National Assembly adopted the Southern Sudan Referendum Bill in December 2009. The National Assembly adopted the Abyei Referendum Bill 2009.2
Right of Self-Determination – 2010
The members of the referendum commission were appointed in June 2010. The referendum was scheduled for 9 to 15 January 2011.3
Right of Self-Determination – 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).4 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, 98.83% of valid votes were cast in favor of secession with a 97.58% voter turnout (3,851,994 registered voters).5 This satisfies that the provision related to self-determination for southern Sudan was implemented. Nevertheless, the Abyei referendum did not take place as after the north and south could not agree on who was eligible to vote.6 The southern Sudan called for the referendum for Abyei and insisted that the Abyei belonged to the south Sudan.7
- “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, January 2011.
- “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, February 2011.
- “Southern Sudan Official: Abyei Belongs with Us,” Associated Press Online, April 29, 2011.
- “Sudan; South Calls for Abyei Referendum,” Africa News, May 26, 2011.