Voters in one of the world's most impoverished regions go to the polls today, as south Sudan decides whether to secede and form its own African nation.
Salva Kiir, who could be the first president of south Sudan, described the vote as a turning point for a country that had survived a dark history of civil war, famine and refugees.
"Today, there is no return to war," he said on the eve of the week-long referendum. Nearly four million people have registered to vote.
Early celebrations yesterday to mark the launch of polling were spoiled by reports of deaths and arrests in clashes between the southern army and a renegade militia in a remote border state, marring the feeling of intense optimism in the days leading up to the historic vote.
But buoyed by the pledge of Mr Kiir and the Sudanese president, Omar al Bashir, to respect the outcome, south Sudanese say they are ready to put behind a war of more than 21 years between Sudan's mostly Muslim north and the predominantly Christian and animist south that claimed nearly two million lives. The peace deal in 2005 set up today's vote.
Even if south votes to secede, as many expect, the two resulting nations will have to work together long past the agreed-upon six-month transitional period.
The south is where most of Sudan's oil is located, but without the necessary infrastructure there is no way to get the oil out without using a pipeline that runs through northern territory.
How the north and south share those resources will depend on the outcome of talks after the results of the referendum are finalised.
Mr al Bashir, an army man who led the brutal civil war with the rebels for 18 years before finally striking the peace deal, said on Friday that he did not believe the south was ready for independence.
But officials in south Sudan hope separation from the north will bring investment in the oil sector that has been halted by sanctions against Khartoum.
Hopes of doubling oil production in three years depend on European, US and Middle Eastern companies providing a boost of capital and technical expertise, said south Sudan's minister of energy and mining, Garang Diing Akuong.
* The National with agencies
2017 RESULTS: FRENCH VOTERS IN UK
First round
Emmanuel Macron: 51.1%
Francois Fillon: 24.2%
Jean-Luc Melenchon: 11.8%
Benoit Hamon: 7.0%
Marine Le Pen: 2.9%
Second round
Emmanuel Macron: 95.1%
Marine Le Pen: 4.9%
Neymar's bio
Total club appearances 411
Total goals scored 241
Appearances for Barca 186
Goals scored for Barca 105
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Mozn
Started: 2017
Founders: Mohammed Alhussein, Khaled Al Ghoneim, Abdullah Alsaeed and Malik Alyousef
Based: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Industry: FinTech
Funding: $10 million
Investors: Raed Ventures, Shorooq Partners, VentureSouq, Sukna Ventures and others
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre+(Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
WHAT MACRO FACTORS ARE IMPACTING META TECH MARKETS?
• Looming global slowdown and recession in key economies
• Russia-Ukraine war
• Interest rate hikes and the rising cost of debt servicing
• Oil price volatility
• Persisting inflationary pressures
• Exchange rate fluctuations
• Shortage of labour/skills
• A resurgence of Covid?
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
Bahrain GP
Friday qualifying: 7pm (8pm UAE)
Saturday race: 7pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
The years Ramadan fell in May