OUAGADOUGOU: African Union (AU) chief Jean Ping voiced concern Tuesday about south Sudan voting for independence in a referendum due in January, saying it would be a "major problem" for other African nations.
"From the outset we’ve argued in favor one of the options, making (Sudan’s) unity attractive," Ping told journalists during events marking Africa Day.
A peace deal signed in 2005 between the southern rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the government of Khartoum to end Africa’s longest running war, provided for the competitive polls and for the southern referendum on independence.
But Ping said at the moment it appeared voters in south Sudan will support independence.
"That’s a major problem for all African countries which could be confronted by similar situations, that’s what concerns us," said the AU Commission chief.
"Such a decision could lead us again to a number of major difficulties, including war."
However, Ping said that if the referendum does go forward "we have no other choice than to respect the decision of the Sudanese."
