This Comprehensive Agreement delineates the sharing of power between federal and local government. The Southern Region of Sudan, as defined in the Agreement, will fall under a Transitional Co-ordination Council, which will oversee the governance of the state. National security, foreign policy, banking and tax collection will remain under of the Federal Government's authority. After a four-year interim period a referendum will be held in the south to determine whether the South can secede to become a separate state or remain with North Sudan. The referendum will be observed by regional organisations, member states and non-governmental organisations.