Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Holding of the Southern Sudan Referendum

January 18, 2011
Japanese

Over the period from January 9 (Sun.) to 15 (Sat.), the historic Southern Sudan referendum was held as the final stage in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Sudan. During this referendum, observation missions from a number of countries including Japan and from a variety of international organizations were deployed in various parts of Southern Sudan. Japan expresses its congratulations on the fact that the referendum was conducted as scheduled in largely peaceful circumstances without any major disruptions.
Japan expects that the series of processes that includes the counting and tabulating of votes, announcing the results, which began on January 15, will be carried out smoothly in peaceful circumstances.
With a view to consolidating peace in Sudan, it is essential that the parties involved in both North and South Sudan accept the results, regardless of the outcome, and that they continuously cooperate with each other as partners. For its part, Japan will continue to actively provide cooperation to this end.

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