Voters register for Sudanese 'split' referendum

Voter registration began in Southern Sudan yesterday in preparation for a January independence referendum that could see Africa's largest country split in two.

Voters lined up at more than 2,600 registration centres. In the capital, Juba, the South's President Salva Kiir showed off an ink-stained finger after registering.

Most observers expect the South to vote for independence. The process had been delayed by disputes between the North's rulers and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.