2011 South Sudanese independence referendum

2011 South Sudanese independence referendum

9 – 15 January 2011

People celebrating the independence of South Sudan on 9 July 2011
Results
Choice
Votes %
Secession 3,792,518 98.83%
Unity 44,888 1.17%
Valid votes 3,837,406 99.62%
Invalid or blank votes 14,588 0.38%
Total votes 3,851,994 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 3,947,676 97.58%

Results by region

A referendum took place in Southern Sudan from 9 to 15 January 2011,[1] on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become independent.[2][3][4] The referendum was one of the consequences of the 2005 Naivasha Agreement between the Khartoum central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M).

A simultaneous referendum was supposed to be held in Abyei on whether to become part of South Sudan but it was postponed due to conflict over demarcation and residency rights.[5]

On 7 February 2011, the referendum commission published the final results, with a landslide majority of 98.83% voting in favour of independence.[6] While the ballots were suspended in 10 of the 79 counties for exceeding 100% of the voter turnout, the number of votes was still well over the requirement of 60% turnout, and the majority vote for secession is not in question.

The predetermined date for the creation of an independent state was 9 July 2011.[7]

  1. ^ Richmond, Matt (8 January 2011). "Sudan Referendum Has Peaceful First Day". VOA. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  2. ^ Richmond, Matt (16 December 2010). "Southern Sudan Focuses on January Referendum". VOA. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  3. ^ Ibrahim, Mohamed (26 June 2007). "Eastern Sudan Front: Quiescence at war & discordance in peace (2)". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2023. [permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Vuni, Isaac (12 July 2007). "Road to 2011 referendum is full of obstacles – South Sudan's Kiir". Sudan Tribune. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  5. ^ Bixler, Mark (5 January 2011). "Historic day ahead after decades of war". CNN. Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  6. ^ "South Sudan backs independence – results". BBC News. 7 February 2011. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  7. ^ Pflanz, Mike (8 January 2011). "Sudan referendum: what's being voted on and what will happen?". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2023.