Al-Bashir warns of instable south Sudan

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has warned that south Sudan will likely face insatiability, in the event it gains independence from the north.

Speaking to al-Jazeera TV network on Friday, Bashir expressed concerns about possible instability in the south following the voting, saying that the south may not have the ability to cope with many problems.

“The stability of the south is very important to us because any instability in the south will have an impact on the north. If there is a war in your neighbor’s house, you will not be at peace,” he said.

“The south suffers from many problems. It’s been at war since 1959. The south does not have the ability to provide for its citizens or create a state or authority.”

Earlier on Tuesday upon his arrival in the southern capital Juba, he promised that he would welcome the result of the upcoming referendum, whatever it may be.

Reports say Bashir has been under intense pressure from the United State to ensure the vote goes ahead on schedule to avoid returning to civil war.

In the week-long referendum in Sudan, which begins on Sunday, some four million southerners will get to vote in favor or against secession from northern Sudan.

The referendum is being held as part of the 2005 peace deal that ended two decades of civil war. According to the deal, at least 60 percent of registered voters must cast ballots for the result to be valid.

Results are expected on January 15th.