Government OKs Poll on South’s Future

The government has agreed to hold an internationally supervised referendum on self-determination in the country’s war-torn south. Still, the two sides in the civil war remain deadlocked over the issue of religion, with the government saying Sudan is an Islamic state and the rebels wanting freedom of religion. A communique issued after the third day of talks in Nairobi, Kenya, said negotiations will continue on how to conduct the referendum. More than 1.5 million Sudanese have died in the 15-year civil war and consequent famines.