PRESS RELEASE
THE AFRICAN UNION APPLAUDS THE SUCCESS OF THE
REFERENDUM IN SOUTHERN SUDAN
Addis Ababa, 8 February 2011: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping,
congratulates the people of Sudan and their leaders on the occasion of the official
announcement by the South Sudan Referendum Commission, on 7 February 2011, of the results
of the Referendum on self‐determination in Southern Sudan.
The Chairperson, recalling the solemn declaration on the Sudan adopted by the AU Summit of
January 2011, expresses his conviction that with the completion of this referendum, Sudan has
decisively overcome its tragic history of division and its exceptional legacy inherited from its
past. In recognition of the Sudan’s unique political circumstances, Africa recognized the right of
self‐determination for the people of southern Sudan, and supported the free and fair exercise
of this right. Indeed, the AU will be keen, at the end of the interim period, on 9 July 2011, to
welcome into its ranks the 54th member state of the Union.
The Chairperson applauds the leadership and unswerving commitment to peace of President
Omar Hassan al Bashir and First Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit that have made possible this
triumph. He further expresses his gratitude to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, its
Chairman Professor Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil and Deputy Chairman Justice Chan Madut, for the
extraordinary efforts they deployed to ensure a successful outcome of the referendum, which
was held in a timely, credible and peaceful manner.
The Chairperson welcomes the immediate acceptance of the results of the referendum by the
Government of Sudan and its readiness to proceed expeditiously to conclude all necessary
steps to ensure the speedy and peaceable establishment of the independent state of Southern
Sudan.
The Chairperson is confident that the Sudanese parties will successfully conclude all
outstanding matters necessary for the completion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and
will soon agree on all post‐referendum issues necessary for the establishment of two viable and
mutually supportive states. In this regard, he reiterates his unwavering support to the work of
the African Union High‐Level Implementation Panel led by former President Thabo Mbeki, for
its facilitation of the negotiations between the Parties.