Southern Sudan started the week-long vote on Sunday that could split Africa’s biggest country in two.
Reports say thousands have been lining up for hours to be among the first to vote on their region’s independence.
The Sudanese have a week, starting from Sunday, to cast their vote on the future of the region. Final results of the referendum are due on February 6.
On Saturday, at least 25 people were killed and many more injured in clashes between fighters from two rival tribes in the Abyei region of southern Sudan ahead of the independence historic referendum.
Fighting broke out between members of the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes on Saturday in the Um Balayel area, located some 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) northwest of Abyei, as well as in the al-Jangai area, situated some 27 kilometers (16.7 miles) north of Abyei.
The poll is part of a peace agreement that ended decades of conflict between northern and southern Sudan in 2005.
Southern Sudan’s leader Salva Kiir has said there is no substitute to a peaceful co-existence between northern and southern Sudan.
But Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has warned that south Sudan would face instability in the wake of independence.
“The south suffers from many problems. It’s been at war since 1959,” Bashir said.
“The south does not have the ability to provide for its citizens or create a state or authority,” he continued.
Earlier on Tuesday upon his arrival in the southern capital Juba, Bashir promised that he would welcome the result of the upcoming referendum, whatever it may be.
During the week the Sudanese will also vote on the future of the contested oil-rich Abyei region whether the region should link up with the north or south in case of the country’s disintegration.
Source: Press TV