While encouraging his country's continued unity, Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir said recently in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, that he would be the first to support southerners if they voted for secession.

Speaking during the Comprehensive Peace Agreement's (CPA) fifth anniversary celebrations on 19 January, the president also promised to assist the south in ridding itself of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.

"I promise to work in collaboration with my southern counterpart to fight against the LRA rebels who often disrupt the peace of the people of Western Equatoria State," the president said.

Also addressing the event, First Vice-President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Salva Kiir Mayardit said north and south would continue to work together if separation occurred – whether on grazing land access or the sharing of oil resources.

"I am not telling you that I know the outcome of the referendum, but if Southern Sudan votes for separation from the north, it won't shift the north either to the Indian Ocean or to the Atlantic," Mr. Kiir said.

Adding that the current year would be a challenge and test of Sudan's destiny if people failed to work together, he assured the international community that southerners had chosen peace rather than a return to war.

"This period of five years has brought us out from chaos resulting from prolonged civil war. If mistakes are handled with humility, we can look into the future with more confidence." Mr. Kiir said.

Turning to upcoming elections (in April), Mr. Kiir said he had been nominated by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) as candidate for GoSS president, while SPLM (northern sector) Deputy Secretary Yasir Arman had been chosen to challenge incumbent President Al-Bashir for president of Sudan

Southerners now had the right to choose the candidates of their choice, the GoSS president added. "As leaders, we have the obligation to protect the rights of all citizens...forget our egos and selfish tendencies that would jeopardize the elections."

European Union representative Turban Billy noted that the last few years of peace had been a testament to the leadership of Sudan. "The CPA era should be the beginning of political pluralism in Sudan."

Noting that elements of a return to war existed, Special Representative of the Secretary General Ashraf Qazi said that such a state was absolutely unacceptable. "Let us not lose sight ... and forget challenges lying ahead of us pertaining to full implementation of the CPA."

The CPA celebration drew dignitaries from the United States, European Union and African Union as well as participants from throughout Sudan.

Democratic Republic of Congo musician Kanda Bongoman performed a concert during the celebration and songs were sung by different Sudanese tribes. Organized military forces of the country marched and competitive football matches were also played.