The people of Southern Sudan have criticized the African Union accusing it for backing the Khartoum government and its leader Omar El Bashir at the expense of the interests of the people of Southern Sudan.

Souther Sudan in Red

This comes at a time when Southern Sudan is preparing for a referendum due to take place on January 9 2011 that will determine whether Southern Sudan remains part of the Khartoum government or secedes to become an independent state though there are alleged attempts by the Khartoum government to frustrate the referendum.

While speaking at a conference on peace and security in Southern Sudan and its implications on Africa, the Chief Coordinator of the Internal Campaigns for a referendum in Sudan, Lole Lokulenge has said the many African Union leaders have continued to give support to Bashir just because of their political motives and are supporting him in all his moves for instance his claims that Southern Sudan is still interested in remaining part of the Khartoum government.

Lokulenge says because of this support Bashir has always gone back Sudan and told the people that the African Union is behind Sudan to remain a united state rather than having Southern Sudan secede from the Khartoum government.

Lokulenge also urged African countries to help stabilize southern Sudan because the peace and security of Southern Sudan has far reaching implications on the peace and security of other African countries.

Just a few years ago the insecurity in Southern Sudan played a central role in facilitating the LRA insurgency that rocked Northern Uganda for over 25 years.

By Tiberindwa Zakaria, Ultimate Media