Sudan has put a new mark in history with the big debate on whether or not it will undergo a split between the North and the South.

For a long time, citizens of Southern Sudan have felt they have not been treated adequately, considering the resources they provide for the country. They feel that since Khartoum, the capital city, is in Northern Sudan, the North gets preferential treatment, not only in being more developed but also in religion and culture. Namely, the government has been forcing Islamic law upon the south, which is predominately Christian.

Last month, a referendum was held in Southern Sudan to determine whether or not it will become an independent country. Over 98 per cent of voters chose to become a separate nation.

The result of the referendum raises several concerns involving the government's approval of the referendum. Rich Hitchens of STAND Fanshawe said, "Perhaps the government in Khartoum is going to accept the results." The major reason for the government not allowing the split lies in its aim to control the oil that comes out of the South for profitable purposes. The oil is only one ongoing issue among many others.

Economically, if the split is successful, the South will develop their economy from the profits of its oil. But there is no guarantee that the Southern government will know how to handle the revenues, said Hitchens. Meanwhile, the North will either stay at a standstill or suffer from reduced funds, since all of their economic development has come from oil revenues in the past.

Further implications of the split can be very severe, as Hitchens pointed out. "The government has announced that it will double its efforts on Islamic law in the North," despite the fact that there are still citizens of the South living in the North. But there will also be considerable effects in the rest of Africa revolving around border issues and concerns of attaining peace. "If the Southerners can gain their independence, why can't other groups in Africa?" said Hitchens. "This referendum could have opened a Pandora's box that some analysts worry could lead to the 'Balkanization' of Africa." This means Africa could divide into small regions that are hostile with each other.

Hitchens is confident that conflict will continue even after the split. "Like all marriages that end in divorce, simply not living together does not end all of the turmoil. In marriages, for example, there are often children, and there is continued contact and, inevitably, squabbles around them. The North and South are going to continue to have a lot in common - the Southerners in the North, oil and oil transit - even though they won't be living together under one roof."

Glen Pearson, London MP, has travelled to Sudan 45 times since 1998. After his most recent trip early this year, he said, "I've never had a (trip) like this one. History was made. You not only got to see democracy in the making but you got to see historical injustice." However, Pearson remained confident that the South will reach peace. "I think we'll find out in the middle of February that it was great and that the people in the South were able to make their own destiny."

Southern Sudan has looked to Canada and the United States for help, specifically looking at Canada's governance model. While the United States is there helping Sudan reach peace, Canada has been standing by without sending any leaders over. For Pearson, this isn't good enough. "I've come back with a message for the prime minister ... we've got to help them get over this hump. The democracy part has been handled and the humanitarian need has not. We've got more to do."

A lot of hope lies in the month of February, when Sudan's fate will be determined.