South Sudan may reject fifth census results
November 15, 2008 (JUBA) — The southern Sudanese political forces said it may reject the out come of fifth national census which was conducted last April backing the announced GoSS position on the issue due to the incomplete preparedness for the counting operations.
This joint position on census results is one of the resolutions adopted by the South-South dialogue conference which was held from 8 to 13 November in Juba. The results of the fifth Sudan National Population and Housing Census could be announced next February.
The fifth Sudan Population and Housing Census, a milestone in the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was conducted from 22th to 30th April 2008. It was the first all inclusive census for people of southern Sudan since Sudan became independence in January 1956.
The South-South meeting agreed in the 22 page text of resolutions that the difficulties and shortcomings faced by the census may affect its results. All these hindrances “have been acknowledged and documented by various institutions including the National Census Council,” they say.
The southern Sudanese political forces also agreed that “In case of rejection of the census results, Southern Sudan shall maintain its present status – 1/3 of Sudan’s population until proper census is conducted.”
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 neighbouring 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.
One week before the census, Gabriel Changson Chang pointed out that GoSS would reserves the right to have an opinion on the general outcome of the census results; if the issues raised are not addressed by the presidency and permit the census to go ahead.
Changson further underlined that “We are still holding on that ethnicity and religious be included on the forms in order to dispute claim that Sudan is an Arab country and an Islamic state”.
The southern Sudanese parties however reaffirmed adherence to the schedule of holding general elections and urged to review bills that are not yet conform to the interim constitution namely : National Security Law, Press and Media Law, Code of Criminal Procedure Law, Code of Civil Procedure, Penal Code and Workers and Trade Union Act.
Speaking at the closing session of the Dialogue between SPLM and Southern Political Parties on Friday, SPLM chairman Salva Kiir called on all southern parties to unite and work hard to establish trust and respect among the people of one nation.
Besides the southern Sudan ruling party the meeting was attended by SANU, USAP (1), USAP (2), UDF, The Democratic Forum, UDSF, ANC, SSDF (Front) and Labour Party.
(ST)
John Amule de Lokolong
South Sudan may reject fifth census results
It is a big surprise to see someone who claim himself to be logic have yesterday resume his attitude which is not clearly undertsood whether it is a truth expression or just a cozen to the eyes of Sudantribune readers. In contrast, if that was a real oath then am happy to see that i will be back to contribute on this site, because his negative freedom of expression has never been a good contribution toward the people of South Sudan.
Therefore to the issue of fifth census in Sudan to my own knowledge, I beleive that Goss must reject it for good, one we have people still in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and other parts of Africa. Secondly the result of the census which was conducted in April was not faily done, in fact it was just like they were presenting a quarter of South population or being conducted within a particular state.
Similarly Al bashir is not ambitious about the peace process in durfur and implementing the one of South, and this is exactly to what Kiir has told the Egyptain government that the unity btn the two sides is not indicating positive vision. Nevertheless to accept the census result we must look into how al bashir is behaving toward the oncoming election in 2009 and the delight determination of South whether to united or seperate.
To my opinion i would advice those nine parties behind Goss to united together and have strong mission toward this puzzling CPA implementation, and Goss must work hard on his side to ensure that he has been struggling for the unity of Sudanese and bringing peace to the devastated regions of durfur and South. Moreover, to have the census result Goss must be given enough time to prepare his people ie, collect them from all parts of Africa before an accurate census can be done again.
Lokolong is back when there is respect on Sudantribune website. Peace to all.
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
South Sudan may reject fifth census results
This parasite is back with his little quality of thinking. First of all this article is not about me or any reader or contributor on Sudantribune, and don’t ever begin your writing with my name, it is not health and makes me like vomiting on this site. If you would like me to jump back to the bush and act on my prudent ambitious i will, but don’t regret to quit this or crying that am a triblist man. I saw some idiots requesting me to apology, and i don’t know why should i waste my words on something** . I can apology to those who have brought me into the life of this world (parents), but not to those reckless and triblist group. To see me apologising you must first solve the corruption, land grabbing, violence, triblism, killing and all those barbaric act of some tribes on others, otheriwse don’t waste your lips by saying i have to write a an apology or whatever you think of. If you want i will resume fundamental point of view which is always hated by some arrogance. If your wise why should you support those nine parties, your one of those corruptess if you could be in power like them.