South Sudan Referendum Ends; North Expects Secession

Southern Sudan’s weeklong referendum on independence ended today, as a top official of President Umar al-Bashir’s ruling party said he expected the oil-rich region to secede and form Africa’s newest nation.

Polling stations closed at 6 p.m., allowing only voters still in line to cast ballots, said Soad Ibrahim, spokeswoman for the commission that organized the referendum. Turnout was more than 80 percent as of yesterday, the commission said, surpassing the 60 percent needed for a valid result. The final vote count will be announced next month and independence, if approved, declared in July.