Sudan's First Vice-President and head of southern Sudan government Salva Kiir has warned that he will not accept unreasonable census results.

The fifth Sudan Population and Housing Census, a milestone in the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was conducted from 22nd to 30th April 2008. It was the first all inclusive census for people of southern Sudan since Sudan became independence in January 1956.

The results will be used to determine the distribution of power and wealth, including booming oil proceeds.

“We will not accept less than 15 million people as population for the people of Southern Sudan” Kiir told a rally at Lainya, Central Equatoria State.

Kiir criticized reports in the media putting population figures of South Sudan at 3 million saying that there are unspecified parties that want to deny them a share in power and wealth.

The most recent U.N. estimate for Sudan’s population is 37.8 million but the numbers are difficult to verify because of Sudan’s huge internal displacement and also tens of thousands of Sudanese who have fled fighting over the years to neighboring countries.

The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) had given a reluctant green light to the census operations in southern Sudan. GoSS expressed reserves over the incomplete repatriation of the Internally Displaced and refugees to Southern Sudan, the inadequate forms and census questionnaires.

The census results are due to be released before the end of the year despite promises it would be announced in September.

More on this report.