South Sudan is already a divided nation, Omar al-Bashir warns

The new state of South Sudan, which is due to become an independent nation in July after voting to secede in a referendum in January, will have the full backing and support of the Khartoum government, the Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, has pledged.

But Bashir warned in his exclusive interview with the Guardian that the South could become an instant failed state unless divisions within the ruling party, a string of violent tribal insurgencies, and governance issues such as chronic corruption were not quickly addressed.

Bashir said it was his proudest achievement to have helped end the 22-year-long war with the South when he signed the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) in 2005.

"For us the aims from the peace deal were peace and security. Our aim was unity, but we also agreed about the right of self-determination for the people in the South. Now the separation has happened, we are keen that it will be a successful state, because any instability will have a direct bearing on us in the North."

The main differences would be political and administrative, he said. The two countries would otherwise remain bound by strong economical, social, cultural and historical ties.

"Our hope now is for the international community to play a role by lifting sanctions [and] ridding us of debt."

But echoing senior advisers and independent analysts, Bashir warned that pre-existing problems could mar the birth of the nation.