hoped Sudan and South Sudan`s peoples "will enjoy a journey of peace, freedom and development"Vatican City (ANTARA News) - The Vatican on Friday called on the nations to support Sudan and the new state of Southern Sudan when it declares independence on Saturday and becomes the world`s newest country.
The Holy See said it hoped that the two sides would through "frank, peaceful and constructive dialogue...find just and equitable solutions to outstanding questions."
The Vatican statement said, as AKI reports, it also hoped Sudan and South Sudan`s peoples "will enjoy a journey of peace, freedom and development".
Pope Benedict XVI has sent an official delegation headed by Cardinal John Njue, archbishop of Nairobi and president of the Kenya Episcopal Conference to Juba, the future capital, to mark Saturday`s declaration of Southern Sudan's independence, the Vatican said.
South Sudan will secede on Saturday after its animist and Christian natives voted overwhelmingly in January for independence. The referendum to split was part of a 2005 peace deal to end decades of violence and civil war between the two sides. Some 1.5 million people died in the conflict.
In a pragmatic gesture, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is expected here on Saturday.
The two sides must still decide on issues such as drawing up the new border and how to divide Sudan`s debts and oil wealth - most oil wells lie in the south.
Citizenship is also a key issue which has not yet been decided.
According to the state-run Sudan Radio, the citizenship of South Sudanese living in the north has now been revoked.
(ANT)
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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