Sudan president accepts South’s independence vote

Khartoum, Feb 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Monday said he accepts the results of the referendum on the independence of the South, presidential chief of staff Bakri Hasan Salekh announced.

“We declare our respect for and acceptance of the choice made by the people of the South, as well as the referendum results,” Bakri quoted the presidential decree as saying.

In the January 9-15 referendum, over 98 percent of voters in Sudan’s oil-producing South chose to break away from the North and the country is expected to split July 9.

Hundreds of people are reportedly gathering in the Southern capital Juba to celebrate the official results.

–IANS/RIA Novosti