Rumbek to host extraordinary plenary assembly for Sudan Bishops on referenda

By Manyang Mayom

October 3, 2010 (JUBA) — Rumbek the capital of Lakes state will hold an extraordinary Plenary Assembly of Sudan Catholic Bishops to discuss the referendum process. The meeting will take place next month at Diocese of Rumbek.

Fr. Santino Morokomomo, the Secretary General of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference, is in Rumbek to follow up the ongoing preparations for the Bishops’ meeting that will take place from November 8th to 15th. The plenary conference will focus on peaceful referendum and other issues facing church preaching in Sudan.

Morokomomo told Sudan Catholic Radio Good News in Rumbek that, Sudan Bishops plenary was held in Torit last year and in this year the plenary was recently held in Juba and now Rumbek will host this session.

On Saturday, Morokomomo affirmed that the decision to have two plenary assemblies this year was prompted by the present situation in Sudan which he termed as “a very historical moment” as the country “is preparing for the referendum”.

Fr. Santino further said that the meeting will discuss issues pertaining to the referendum, with focus on a peaceful process. His explain that Bishops have decided to lobby for peaceful referendum and that the meeting will discuss in this extraordinary plenary Bishops assembly

The forthcoming Bishops’ Plenary meeting will include representatives from the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).

LAUNCH OF 100 DAYS REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN

On Saturday, Lakes state government officially declared the launching of Referendum countdown to 100 days for January 9, 2011 referendum campaign at Rumbek freedom Square, an event that was witnessed by over 2 thousand of people.

Speaking to the crowd, Lakes State Governor, Chol Tong Mayay, described the day as “historical”, announcing the kickoff of the referendum campaign in the state as the beginning to achieve New Sudan Country.

He said international community should be aware that on the upcoming January 9, 2011, Africa will get a new country called “New Sudan” as it was promised by the late John Garang de Mabior, former leader of the SPLM.

Governor Tong noted that the gathering also aims to welcome back the president of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Maydit who arrived Friday from the US after attending the UN high level meeting on Sudan.

He thanked the president for the crucial speech he presented during the summit in New York. His appreciated the keynote speech of Kiir in US and described it as “stronger speech Kiir had made toward walking to have new Country”.

The head of Human Right Affair committee at the state assembly and chairman of SPLM youth League Dhieu Wal Takpiny, expressed concerns over the delay of preparations ahead of the referendum, saying the process was lagging behind to the effect that “we prepare for the worst”.

Wal said there are several issues which were not implemented by Khartoum Government to make peace attractive such as Abyei, border demarcation and delay of voter education are yet not done and timing is clicking to end on zero stage.

“Time is running to an end without solution done. We must continue to prepare for separation whether Khartoum like or not – Yes, youth must now get prepared for the outcome of referenda delay nether by fire or peace.”

His urged the whole youth in Lakes state to campaign for separation, saying they are the agents of the referendum.

Southern Sudan Referendum is planned to take place on 9th January 2011.

(ST)