Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the Conclusion of the Polling for the Southern Sudan Referendum

He commends the work of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission in Khartoum and its Bureau in Juba, and of the two parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

He extends his gratitude to all donor countries whose contribution has facilitated the process and his appreciation to the observer groups that travelled throughout Sudan and overseas to assess the situation.

The Secretary-General congratulates all the people of Sudan for the display of, wisdom, patience, and peaceful determination that has characterized the voting over the last week. He calls on the people and institutions of Sudan to exercise patience and restraint until the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission announces the final result of the referendum.