Sudanese nationals in Jeddah tend to be split in their views about the vote. Some feel little hope anything positive will come out of it, others are optimistic that something positive could come.

“A vote on separating Sudan is an evil plan, and a vote to remain united could perhaps be worse because many people are suspecting renewed armed conflicts could come as a result,” said Mohammed Abdullah, a shepherd.

“I personally hope that we remain united and that there is no violence. Even if we were to split, I hope peace prevails,” he added.

Essam Fathallah, an electrician, blames both sides for the current situation. “Me and my friends feel that there hasn’t been enough time to work on uniting the country. It also seems that each party is bent on ensuring its own agenda comes to the fore. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLA) is adamant on a separation and it’s been using all of its powers to get its vision across,” he said.

“Also, the government will probably never be keen to offer concessions, even though that is a requirement for unity. Both parties, therefore, bear the full responsibility. History will record the worst mishap in Sudan’s political history,” he added.

“I am against the partition of Sudan,” said Mohamed Daawa, a mechanic. “There will be no hope in unity after today’s vote. Plus, the situation is no longer in the hands of the Sudanese. With direct international intervention in the matter, real problems will start after separation, especially since foreign groups are influencing matters,” he added.

When asked who might bear the responsibility in the event of a secession of the south, Daawa said: “I personally was not present in their meetings; there are many behind the scene events taking place which we will all learn in history.”

Bakri Mohammed is expecting the opposite and feels that the south will opt to remain united with the north. “There are multiple reasons for this, the first of which is that in the past six years, we in the north and our brothers in the south have become closer. A person from the south feels a true sense of belonging to the homeland; all bad feelings and bitterness have gone,” he said.

“Also, many families in the south have married into families from the north; that’s a big improvement in my opinion,” he added.

However, Mohammad Faadallah feels that the country will remain in conflict due to foreign intervention. “I don't think there are any hopes left. Sudan's National Congress and the SPLA will realize the negative results of making hasty decisions that in my view were made to create conflict. The north and the south will face countless problems and foreign intervention will continue. This is not a healthy environment for a peaceful country like Sudan,” he said.