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    July 07, 2011

North Sudan Army Demobilizes Southern Members

   VOA News
   Soliders of the Sudan People's Liberation Army march during a rehearsal
   for Saturday's independence celebrations for the new Republic of South
   Sudan, in the southern capital of Juba, July 5, 2011
   Photo: AP
   Soliders of the Sudan People's Liberation Army march during a rehearsal
   for Saturday's independence celebrations for the new Republic of South
   Sudan, in the southern capital of Juba, July 5, 2011

   The army of north Sudan is demobilizing some 15,000 southerners from
   its ranks, as the south gets set to declare independence.
   The pro-government Sudanese Media Center reports there will be a
   dismissal ceremony Thursday in Khartoum, to be addressed by Defense
   Minister Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussain.
   The new Republic of South Sudan is due to declare independence on
   Saturday. The north and south are trying to disentangle themselves, but
   the sides have yet to resolve issues on borders and oil revenue.
   The north's army is currently fighting pro-southern elements in the
   northern-controlled state of Southern Kordofan.
   Meanwhile, rehearsals are underway for Saturday's celebrations in the
   south's capital, Juba. Authorities have closed streets so organizers
   can prepare for the main independence ceremony and other festivities.
   Some 30 African heads of state are expected to attend, including
   Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban
   Ki-moon.
   North and south Sudan fought a 21-year civil war that ended in 2005.
   Southern Sudan voted overwhelmingly to split from the north in a
   January referendum.

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