Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
South Sudan president race has eye on independence
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Netanyahu ducks U.S. nuclear summit, fearing censure
1:31pm EDT
Women tried to smuggle corpse onto plane?
06 Apr 2010
Regulators looking at antibacterial in soap
08 Apr 2010
Special Report: How the U.S. cracked open secret vaults at UBS
6:12am EDT
Iran will not beg to avoid sanctions: Ahmadinejad
08 Apr 2010
Women tried to smuggle corpse onto plane?
06 Apr 2010
Regulators looking at antibacterial in soap
08 Apr 2010
Workers strike over ban on drinking at work
08 Apr 2010
Special Report: How the U.S. cracked open secret vaults at UBS
6:12am EDT
Netanyahu ducks U.S. nuclear summit, fearing censure
1:31pm EDT
Special Report
Southern Sudan: oil boom to bust-up?
With southern Sudan stumbling toward independence next year, age-old rivalries between dozens of different tribes are resurfacing and the oil workers in the country are bracing for trouble. Full Article | Slideshow
In southern Sudan, for the money
South Sudan president race has eye on independence
Skye Wheeler
BENTIU, Sudan
Fri Apr 9, 2010 3:58pm EDT
Related News
Q+A: What's at stake in historic Sudan elections?
3:58pm EDT
A Sudanese woman stands in front of election posters of Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum April 9, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Ahmed Jadallah
BENTIU, Sudan (Reuters) - Salva Kiir ended his campaign Friday for the presidency of semi-autonomous south Sudan, with one of his main qualifications in some voters' eyes being his long experience as a rebel fighting Khartoum rule.
World
In his campaign stops, the incumbent Kiir made much of his role as a young man in the south's first insurgency that ended in 1972, and as a founder of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) which now leads the southern government.
After a two-decade southern insurgency against Khartoum, which ended in a 2005 peace deal, many in Sudan's Christian and animist south see rebuilding as a chief priority.
But overshadowing voters' daily concerns are plans for a referendum early next year to determine whether south Sudan will remain unified with the mainly Muslim north or secede.
"In these five years we have seen nothing that can attract the southerners to accept unity," Kiir told a rally.
Kiir, who took power after the peace deal, has toured far-flung rural settlements, seeking to link himself with the upcoming referendum and capitalize on widespread resentment of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum.
If north-south political squabbles lead to a delay or cancellation of the referendum, south Sudan may secede anyway, with worrying consequences for stability across east Africa.
For some, like Kom Belay, a chief of the Nuer tribe native to southern Sudan's Unity state, the elections mark a defining moment in what they see as an inevitable trajectory.
"It is being implemented as the prophet said, he promised the south freedom," Belay said, referring to teachings of the tribe's prophet, Ngundeng.
"Kiir is the one that will give us our freedom because he was carrying guns in the bush."
CAPITALIZE ON RESENTMENT
The race to select a new leader of southern states is one key part of the comprehensive national polls, beginning on April 11, which will be a key test of Sudan's fragile democracy.
The SPLM, spearheading a multi-party opposition boycott, has pulled out of elections in most of northern Sudan, accusing Bashir's powerful ruling party of fraud.
The election that will go ahead this week, in the wake of the boycott, is expected to cement Bashir's long rule and will be marked by widespread doubts about their legitimacy.
Appearing in his trademark giant cowboy hat, Kiir has used traditional Sudanese yarns -- telling stories of hyenas and lions arguing over cattle -- to illustrate points to voters.
Some seem to appreciate his calls for a greater female role in government and an end to inter-tribal fighting.
"He cannot be changed because we have a crucial period ahead of us," Jason Burri, a teacher in the town of Yirol. At least seven white bulls were slaughtered in Yirol in Kiir's honor.
Kiir may have to work hard for votes as voters grumble about government corruption and meager development.
His only significant competitor is Lam Akol, who formed the breakaway Sudan People's Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) last year.
Akol's campaign has been a much quieter affair, although the arrests and harassment of several of his party agents in southern towns have worried international observers.
Akol split from the ex rebels at the height of the war to form his own armed group, and many southerners suspect him of being a mole from the north.
Kiir doesn't seem worried about the challenge.
"I am not afraid of him, because if you're going to your home you do not sneak at night but in daylight," Kiir said in Bentiu, where hundreds of people in campaign t-shirts lined a large square.
Still, there could be tensions during three days of voting, adding to the challenges Sudan faces in pulling off the complex election, in which voters will select a national president, a president of south Sudan, parliaments and state leaders.
(Editing by Missy Ryan and Michael Roddy)
World
More from Reuters
How the U.S. cracked open the secret vaults at UBS
When executives from UBS were summoned by U.S. regulators over a tax fraud probe, the plan was simple: admit guilt and move on. Reuters investigates the events that pushed Switzerland's largest bank to the brink. Full Article
U.S. begins new wave of UBS client tax cases
UBS
Fannie's bad business model
It wasn't the pursuit of profits at the expense of home ownership for poorer Americans that caused Fannie Mae's collapse, says the former CEO. Full Article
Making the case against Citi
James Saft: Sold signs aren't enough
Banks
One step at a time
Is it possible to make money by giving away your product? After donating more than 400,000 pairs of shoes, Blake Mycoskie thinks so. Full Article
Video: TOMS shoes
Factbox: A look at TOMS numbers
Small Business
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Saturday, 10 April 2010 Merkel at Afghan deaths memorial for first time
Iran displays new centrifuge for nuclear work
Nokia buys location technology firm MetaCarta
South Sudan president race has eye on independence
|
Russia eyes U.S. adoption freeze after boy returned
|
At ISS, Discovery astronauts conclude first spacewalk
More bodies pulled from Rio mudslide; 192 dead
|
Spain approves extradition of pilot to Argentina
|
Obama to Name New Supreme Court Judge as Stevens Announces Retirement
Canadian PM forces out minister, calls in police
|
US-TECH Summary
Police Passenger Arrested For Drinking And Riding
Nokia buys location technology firm MetaCarta
Research: Exercise By ICU Patients Cuts Hospital Stay
SEC Proposes New Rules To Protect Investors In Asset-Backed Securities
U.S. Justice Stevens to resign
A Year After Switching Parties, Specter Trails Conservative Rival In Poll
Tribe denounces U.S. plan to seize or kill cleric
|
Old Law Calls For California To Cure Gays
US loses first Osprey in Afghanistan, 4 dead
Obama sees Karzai as 'critical partner'
Mom Has Sixth Grade Son Arrested For Giving Away Her Jewelry
Russia stands to reap benefits of Kyrgyz unrest
Bond Insurer Ambac Financial Swings To Q4 Profit
Families Of Murdered Officers Sue County, Suspects Family
Thai protesters storm into TV compound
Celebrities, New Yorkers Rock Zac Posen For Target Collection Early
More than 200,000 flee Pakistan tribal regions
Thongchai withdraws from Masters with elbow injury
Kyrgyz victims mourned, US base fate on hold
Nokia buys location technology firm MetaCarta
|
100 peaks in Indian Kashmir opened to foreigners
Apple unveils iAd platform; iPad sales look strong
|
Teen suicide puts spotlight on high-tech bullying
|
Facebook joins drive to get UK voters to polls
|
Apple's iPad takes video gaming seriously
|
Yahoo technology chief to step down
|
Mexico may cut millions of cellphones to fight crime
|
3D TV to face global test in soccer World Cup
|
Wi-Lan sues Apple, HP, others on Bluetooth patent
|
India's Reliance buys 1.7 bln dlr stake in US gasfield
US-China held constructive yuan talks: report
China auto sales hit record high in March
China passenger car sales up 63 pct in Mar.
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"The Addams Family" musical disappoints on Broadway
Ethical fashion hits big time with German takeover
Saving the soul of Russia's exiled Lipovans
Recession-proof television at MIPTV
Russian rap song slams officials for Moscow metro blasts
Spas and volcano tourism: the scenic route to Iceland recovery
Rufus Wainwright's tales of women and death
Blur to release first new single for seven years
Canoes to relive Pacific migration voyages
Charlie Sheen says if TV show ends, so be it
|
The Addams Family musical disappoints on Broadway
|
Twilight actress Greene mixing in some Butter
|
South Sudan president race has eye on independence
Defiant Iran unveils faster enrichment centrifuge
Thai troops repel red shirts at Bangkok base
|
US-TECH Summary
European Roma summit ends with timid commitments
Iran says its nuclear drive is "irreversible"
Kyrgyzstan buries its dead, U.S. halts troop flights
|
Polish president's plane crashes in Russia: official
|
Teen suicide puts spotlight on high-tech bullying
Netanyahu ducks U.S. nuclear summit
News
Drug gang hangs two from bridge near Mexico City
|
US-TECH Summary
New Tiger Woods Nike Ad Called "Creepy," "Disturbing"
Rihanna Spends Fourth Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100 With "Rude Boy"
Four missing US miners found dead
"Dynasty" Actor Christopher Cazenove Dies At 64
EU leaders back Greece, markets bet on bailout
Documents: Bullied teen sought help from school
US Supreme Court Justice Stevens retires
Fort Hood suspect to be isolated in Texas jail
Supreme Court justice to retire, Obama gets new pick
Cuba leaders 'do not want' normal ties with US: Clinton
UN rifts exposed after Copenhagen setback
Russia eyes U.S. adoption freeze after boy sent back
One more body recovered at flooded China mine
Emboldened Thai protesters vow to raise pressure
Australian freeze on asylum seekers may face challenge
Sri Lankan leader promises peace after poll win
Philippine diaspora begins voting for next president
Sri Lankan ruling party celebrates poll landslide
Tribe denounces U.S. plan to seize or kill cleric
Thai PM under pressure to end turmoil
Liberal U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stevens to resign
Thai protesters vow to increase pressure next week
Kyrgyz victims mourned, US base fate on hold
FDIC Shutters South Carolina Bank, 42nd U.S. Bank Failure This Year
China's $7.24B March trade deficit 1st in 6 years
Boston Childrens Museums Curious George Exhibit Scores With All Ages
U.S. Markets Gain On Energy, Dow Closes Just Shy Of 11K
Iraqi General Says It Is Not Possible To Stop Suicide Bombers, Lauds American Sacrifices
Pakistani c.bank buys 22 bln rupees of govt paper
China's $7.24B March trade deficit 1st in 6 years
China posts first monthly trade deficit in 6 years
Report: China had $7.24B trade deficit in March
Google, Apple rivalry heats up
US slaps import duties on Chinese steel pipe
LA judge to hear pre-trial Toyota lawsuits
Microsoft's latest phone experiment
|
Mexican acts line up for Vive Grupero festival
Major labels eager to enter iPad app marketplace
Aguilera's "Tonight" connects with radio listeners
"Hannah Montana" creators sue Disney for profits
Photo agencies seeing red over Cannes festival deal
Being a "Tudors" king changed Jonathan Rhys Meyers
"Twilight" actress Greene mixing in some "Butter"
Charlie Sheen says if TV show ends, "so be it"
Being a Tudors king changed Jonathan Rhys Meyers
|
Photo agencies seeing red over Cannes festival deal
|
Hannah Montana creators sue Disney for profits
|
Aguilera's Tonight connects with radio listeners
|
Major labels eager to enter iPad app marketplace
|
Mexican acts line up for Vive Grupero festival
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights