The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on Monday hailed the south Sudan referendum as "credible and well organized" and availed the opportunity for the southern Sudanese to freely express their will.
"The EU EOM assesses the voting process of the southern Sudan referendum as credible and well organized, and in a mostly peaceful environment, with overwhelming turnout by the southern Sudanese voters," said Veronique De Keyser, head of the EU EOM, at a press conference in Khartoum on Monday.
"Holding the referendum on time is a remarkable achievement and a major milestone in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, to which the European Union is also witnessed," she added.
She called on the Sudanese authorities and people to respect the outcome of the referendum and protect the basic rights of the citizens.
"As Sudan awaits the results, protection of the fundamental rights of all Sudanese citizens, regardless of their origin, ethnicity and perceived affiliations, is essential," the mission affirmed.
De Keyser further stressed the importance of resolving the outstanding issues between north and south Sudan, saying that "a climate of uncertainty about post-referendum issues, and the ongoing question of the future of status of Abyei, has contributed to an environment in which isolated violent incidents resulted in loss of life, in Abyei, South Kordofan and Unity States."
The EU mission included 110 observers from 27 EU member states in addition to Switzerland, Norway and Canada and a ten-member team of experts and 32 permanent observers.
Ballot sorting and counting process is underway in all parts of Sudan and the primary results from the polling centers indicate that separation is overweighed unity.
According to information presented by officials at a polling center in south Sudan, the primary results in three polling centers in Juba, the capital of south Sudan, indicated that 7,538 votes were for separation and 169 votes were for unity.
