Washington, DC – As the people of south Sudan prepare to vote for the future of the region in a referendum on independence, Refugees International (RI) welcomes this historic moment and urges U.S. and UN leaders to stay engaged after the referendum ends. RI calls on international and Sudanese leaders to capitalize on the optimism of the moment and ensure that south Sudanese receive protection from potential violence and gain access to basic services. In addition, if the south votes for independence, the organization urges both governments to publicly guarantee citizenship rights for southerners living in the north and northerners in the south.

“This vote gives the south Sudanese people a real opportunity to have their voices heard and we encourage all parties to respect the will of the people,” said Michel Gabaudan, president of Refugees International. “Many Sudanese people have shared their excitement with Refugees International over this moment. However, this is just the beginning and we hope that the international community continues to offer its support to south Sudan long after the referendum is over.”

Refugees International continues to call for the following over the next several months:
1.    The governments of north and south Sudan must formalize an agreement to ensure that southerners in the north and northerners in the south are not stripped of their nationality in the event the south opts for independence. If an agreement is not made before south Sudan separates, then both governments must publicly guarantee to maintain citizenship rights and prevent statelessness.
2.    The UN and international aid agencies should assist the Government of Southern Sudan in providing basic services and security for the more than 100,000 people who have recently returned home to the south after years in exile. Refugees International is extremely concerned over reports of thousands of families who have returned, but are forced to camp by the side of the road without any assistance.
3.    The governments of north and south Sudan must uphold their commitments to protecting civilians, especially minority communities in the north and south, and peacefully resolve all outstanding issues related to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including the question of Abyei.

“After the international spotlight leaves, the challenges of rebuilding south Sudan will remain,” continued Mr. Gabaudan. “Southerners who have lived in Khartoum for decades may have no desire to return to a village with no water, proper schools or health clinics. We must ensure that the people of Sudan are given the ability to rebuild their lives and their communities in the places that they choose.”

Refugees International is a Washington, DC-based organization that advocates to end refugee crises and receives no government or UN funding. Since 2004, RI has been challenging policy makers and aid agencies to improve the lives of displaced people in Sudan. For more information, go to www.refugeesinternational.org.

NOTE: B-Roll is available for download of displaced people in Abyei, Southern Kordofan, Jonglei, Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Upper Nile, as well as southern Sudanese living outside of Khartoum. Go to www.refugeesinternational.org/sudanbroll.

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For Immediate Release: January 8, 2011
Contact: Refugees International, Megan Fowler
Cell: +1-202-413-6027
megan@refugeesinternational.org