Rescue in southern Sudan

11 FEB 2011 - While celebrations broke out in southern Sudan on Monday as results from the Referendum were announced, tensions remain between the north and south.

The Referendum process, which resulted in an overwhelming vote for the south to secede from the north and form its own country, remained largely peaceful. However, some violent militant clashes broke out late last week in several areas.

At least six people were killed and many more were wounded in the garrison town of Malakal during disagreements between components of the united Sudanese army. Relief pilot Jakob Adolf evacuated three Tearfund and two Medair workers out of nearby Kodok at very short notice because of the fighting. His total time was just nine minutes from touchdown to wheels leaving the ground.

Several of the group looked very shocked when Jakob picked them up, but they were much more calm by the time they arrived in Juba. The situation has now eased.

The potential for tensions to rise will continue during the separation process. There are a number of outstanding issues from the peace agreement and Referendum that need to be resolved before the new country is formed in July. One particularly volatile hotspot is the oil-rich Abyei region straddling the north-south border, which will hold its own referendum to decide which country it will join.

MAF aims to continue to work closely with relief and development agencies, churches and missions to stand by and support the people in the south during this historic time of change.