Sudan's defence minister said today a secession referendum in the oil-producing south may have to be delayed until border and security issues are solved.
The comments by Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein are the strongest so far from a senior member of north Sudan's dominant National Congress Party suggesting a delay in the January 9th vote may now happen. They are certain to anger southerners.
Africa's largest country is less than three months away from the scheduled start of two votes - one on whether its south should declare independence and the other on whether the contested oil-rich area of Abyei should join the north or south.
Both votes were promised in a 2005 peace deal ending decades of war between north and south Sudan. The row about the timetable has raised fears Sudan could slide back into war.
Asked if there were indications the secession vote should be delayed, Mr Hussein told reporters in Cairo: "According to the reality on the ground, yes. Border issues and Abyei must be resolved within the framework of one nation
"What is important is security and stability of citizens. Everything must be sacrificed to ensure there is security and stability before the referendum takes place."
Preparations have fallen far behind schedule and northerners and southerners, led by the junior partner in government, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), are at loggerheads over key issues, such as the course of their shared border.
Northern officials have already said it would be impossible to hold the Abyei vote on time and they were open to a delay, an option Abyei's SPLM administrator dismissed as "unacceptable."
Reuters