Violence before secession kills 20 in Sudan

Juba, Feb 5: In a shootout between Sudanese soldiers, a minimum of 20 people have died. Military officials have warned of more such clashes before the Southern part of Sudan is seceded.

In view of the impending independence of its southern part, Sudan has divided its forces. Fighting broke out in Malakai when a section of the army declined to redeploy with its weapon to the north.

According to a preliminary result released this week, a large majority of Sudanese from the oil-rich southern part of the country voted to part from the north in a referendum in Jan.

The referendum was promised in a 2005 peace deal that put an end to decades of civil war between north and south.

Leaders of the north and the south are yet to decide on how will they will share out military hardware and security forces, as well as oil revenues and debts, before the secession, expected on July 9.

OneIndia News