KHARTOUM - The referendum commission in Sudan has unanimously agreed on who should take up the key position of secretary-general of the body.

Representatives from northern and southern Sudan had for months been unable to agree on who should head the commission.

Work on the referendum had stalled.

The appointment of northerner Mohamed Osman al-Nijoumi, and the fact that he was chosen unanimously, are signs of progress.

Both sides had previously insisted that their own representative fill the post.

The southerners eventually gave in and said they would be prepared to accept someone from the north.

Voter registration has not started yet, and the eligibility of who exactly will be allowed to vote has not been decided.

The commission will have to buy all the registration materials, and deliver them around the vast territory of southern Sudan during the rainy season.

With relations between the north and south already tense, and conflict intensifying in the separate western region of Darfur, Sudan is likely to experience a very difficult next few months.