The residents in South Sudan, followed by many trials that led to the execution of a large number of Southerners accused of murder. In addition, the rebellion was accompanied by much looting and sabotage, followed by strict disciplinary measures taken by the Sudanese army, which did not refrain from harming a number of innocents. The events in the South were reflected in its representatives in Parliament, especially the Southern parliamentarians who were in the opposition. Anxiety greatly preoccupied them, and they wished that the opposition would unite and agree to overthrow the National Unionist Government. However, the opposition front, which announced that it would support the government as long as it adhered to independence, did not find justifications that would allow it to seek its overthrow if the reason was the rebellion in the South and nothing else. Although the opposition knew of the government's shortcomings in maintaining security in the South and not allowing the situation to escalate, it adhered to its previous commitment and rejected the demands of the Southerners. Thus, the situation remained tense between the Independence Front and the Southern MPs and Senators until the convening of the parliamentary session.

Mr. Al-Imam's speech at the meeting of parliamentarians At the end of the parliamentary session, Mr. Al-Imam Abd al-Rahman invited all parliamentarians from the Independence Front, including the Southerners. The meeting took place in his palace on September 3rd, and he delivered the following speech: "Your country is now going through a delicate obstacle shrouded in darkness and ambiguity, especially among the general public. The word 'referendum' that was previously called for had different circumstances than this one, and it now resembles going backward. Now that the country has agreed on independence, and if the two condominium powers agree to strike out the word 'referendum,' it will require great effort and long work to conduct the referendum. Independence does not prevent good relations with our neighbors, but union restricts us and limits our freedom to do what is good for our country without further interference. We have made great efforts to achieve independence until the entire Sudanese people now believe in it. We are now in the final stage of its declaration. So, face your constituencies and let us proceed, with God's blessing, on our righteous path, our blessed movement.

152