(NSV)

The former Sudanese foreign minister and head of the breakaway SPLM-DC warns of “Somalization” of Southern Sudan if the region opts for independence in 2011 under the SPLM.

"Under the present weak government in the south, calling for secession would be suicide," Lam Akol told reporters Sunday in Khartoum.

Akol cited rampant insecurity in southern Sudan as evidence that an independent south would be chaotic and lawless, much like Somalia.  

"At the moment, with the state of hostility in the South, with the state of tribal conflicts, intra-tribal conflicts, any call for secession at this moment will be a call for the 'Somalisation' of southern Sudan.”

In late November, Akol told  his party would recognize an independent south if southerners chose secession in the referendum. He did not say if SPLM-DC would recognize the south should it declare unilateral independence.  

“I stand for the implementation of the CPA. I stand for self-determination of Southern Sudan. I stand for the fact that the main objective of the CPA was to provide services to the people.”

On Sunday, the Sudan constitutional court ruled that SPLM does not have the right to ban SPLM-DC from contesting elections in the south. Akol complains of harassments of its officials by the SPLM. However, the SPLM maintains that Akol’s party is in league with the National Congress Party of Omar El Bashir.    

“What I know, also, is that this so-called “DC” is not actually a political party, it’s a militia force,” SPLM secretary general, Pagan Amum told New Sudan Vision in December.