JUBA, Sudan, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Southern Sudanese celebrated their expected secession from the north in jubilant rallies Friday, witnesses reported.
The region will begin voting in a referendum Sunday.
The BBC reported crowds rallying Juba's soccer stadium and moving to the grave of John Garang, the late rebel leader who signed the peace accord with Khartoum in 2005.
Cheers rang out when the marchers, some dancing atop trucks, passed a giant countdown sign. A second rally was planned Friday afternoon at Juba's university, followed by a concert with popular musicians.
Gen. Scott Gration, special U.S. envoy to Sudan, told the BBC he is hopeful.
"It has been a tough ride until now but the parties have really come through. (They) have made agreements," he said.
He said the south has promised Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir not to support rebels from Darfur and has told them to leave.
Amnesty International, which has reported rights violations by both sides, called Friday for guarantees of free voting and expression. It also expressed concern for northerners and southerners who will be left in foreign countries after the split.
