A controversial bill was approved by by the Sudan’s parliament that is possibly making way for a referendum, and will give independence to the south part of Sudan which is a high oil production region.

This bill was passed in the parliament by the MP’s,in spite of the opposition by the southern Sudanese legislators. It will allow southerns living outside south Sudan to cast vote.

Ahmed Ibrahim al Tahir, a member of north Sudan’s National congress party(NCP) and the chairman of Sudan parliament said” Finally, after a long journey, we approved this law,”

But there was a strong opposition by the members of Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM), which is one of the main party’s of the south. They showed their anger and disapproval by walking outside the parliament protesting.

The main reason behind SPLM protest is that, by allowing southern Sudanese who are residing in north, they will give less support when campaign for independence.

Badriya Suleiman, the chair of the parliament’s justice committee said if they stop the southerns from voting outside their region, it will be against the ruling of the temporary Sudan constitution. She said “The article was changed because it violated the transitional constitution that gives Sudanese freedom of movement from one area to the other,”.

The SPLM deputy secretary general, Mr. Yaser Arman said by introducing this bill, The  power sharing accord that had put an end to the long civil war which killed millions of people in 2005 can be ignited as the vote is causing breach.

“What happened today is the worst violation against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and from today we will not participate in parliamentary sessions until this matter is resolved,” he said.

A survey was conducted by Khartoum last May, ans the result census reported about 500,000 southern Sudanese are living in the north. This is the main reason behind why southern Sudanese are allowed to vote from north.

This will be for the first time since 1986 that a national elections will be held. At the time of president Omar Hasan al Bashir had a victorious win and since then the relationship between SPLM and NCP have become sore.