Southern activists repeat calls for independence
July 21, 2010 (WUNROK) – Activists and academicians together with clerics from different churches have joined forces to call-upon politicians and members of the public in general to campaign vigorously for international community to support to the choice of southern Sudanese in January 2011.
Religious leaders, artists and women activists have openly joined youth pressure group dubbed as South Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum in their call for massive support against voting in favor of unity in the upcoming exercise for a referendum scheduled to take place next January.
The move is part of an all-out effort to convince skeptical Southern Sudanese voters including some influential people from political parties, particularly southern alliance political parties chaired by the former Sudanese foreign affairs minister, Dr. Lam Akol, allegedly and secretly moving around to campaign for postponement of the upcoming referendum.
Clerics from different dominations in the region under the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) in the regional capital of Juba have equally called for collaboration with members of the southern Sudan referendum bureau to conduct proper civic education and discuss the importance of self determination for people of South Sudan.
Wau Diocese Bishop, Rudolf Deng Majak asked people to forgive those against the independence of southern Sudan and called for unity among southerners as they enter what he termed as “difficult times in the history of Sudan”.
“Let us unite for the benefit of children of God,” was the joint call at the bishop conference.
In his speech at the conference, minister of cabinets affairs, Kosti Manibe, said that the regional government is prepared to respect choice of the people of South Sudan at the referendum.
While individuals remains skeptical, some have warned that a “No” vote for separation would mean reverting to the odds of conflicts. Recent assumption also suggests that there exist camps under heavy weight politicians in most southern states lobbying and influencing local population to vote for either choice on 9th January 2011.
The intension to campaign against unity remains largely grounded, but both northern opposition leaders and the National Congress Party of President Omer Bashir have been keen to back the campaign for ‘YES’ vote in favor of united Sudan.
Meanwhile, Southern Sudan referendum pressure group in Warrap on Tuesday launched an ‘awareness campaign’ which calls on artistes and non-government groups to enlighten people on the referendum.
(ST)
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Southern activists repeat calls for independence
Referendum is the last chance for us to join the free people of the world. Voting yes for separation means social justice, economic prosperity, and political independence. No longer we have to have a non-existent approval for building a factory in South Sudan. No longer we have to seek permission from Jallaba to have electricity for our cities. No longer we will have to ask for approval and finance to construct an asphalted roads from Juba to Malakal, Malakal to Wau, Yambio to Juba , Yei to Juba and the rest of the towns in South Sudan. It will mark the end of cultural colonialism, arab imperialism and islamic shari’ah in our part of the work. The yoke of slavery will cease to exist on our land. So come the day and vote for your freedom that diamond cannot buy.