LONDON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A political referendum in Sudan is unlikely to settle conflicts unless it is coupled with development efforts, advocacy groups warned.
The international community is meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting to push Sudanese authorities to address looming concerns ahead of a January referendum for self-determination for South Sudan.
Washington joined U.N. officials this week in warning the Sudanese that they were way behind schedule on many key preparatory measures.
Alun McDonald, a representative from British aid group Oxfam, said many of the political issues ignore the broader security challenges facing Sudan.
"Amid all of the politics, what tends to get overlooked is the violence that people in South Sudan, people in Darfur are still facing and could potentially face more of in the run up to and after the referendum," he was quoted by Voice of America as saying.
A 2005 peace accord brokered by U.S. President George W. Bush led to an end to a decades-long conflict in Sudan.
Oxfam joined the International Rescue Committee and other human relief groups in stressing the months leading up to the January referendum will be critical for Sudanese peace and stability.
"I do not think any peace deal can be really sustainable, can last, unless that kind of poverty and lack of development is addressed," warned McDonald.
