Sudan's north and south need a common authority to coordinate political and economic issues after a referendum on Jan. 9 which will likely see the south secede, Reuters quoted Sudan's former vice president as saying on Thursday. Such a body would be similar to the East African Community, a five-nation trade bloc, and would aim to resolve disputes and coordinate policies between the two states, Joseph Lagu told Reuters in an interview in the southern capital Juba. -- SPA
