Unity State: Civil society conducts voter education workshop for S. Sudan referendum
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
October 21, 2010 (BENTIU) – The civil society organizations across Unity state capital Bentiu are holding a three days conference on referendum, under the theme: “Civil society in support of democratic and peaceful referendum of January 9th 2011”.
In less than 80 days South Sudan is due to vote in a self determination referendum, as part of a 2005 peace deal, which may see the autonomous region become the world’s newest country.
The aim of the conference is to discuss the roles of civil society organizations in referendum process. The conference includes 127 participants from civil society organizations.
The state Minister of Information and Communication Gideon Gatpan Thoar urged the authorities in Unity state to work hand in hand with civil society groups to disseminate the referendum message to the entirely people of the state.
Thaor called on the civil society groups to educate the people of Unity state about upcoming referendum. Unity state’s ministry of information would protect the rights of media groups during referendum process, he said.
He also appealed to the civil society organizations to take the message to the people at the grass root levels.
Michael Gorjin Kuol, Mercy Corps South Sudan deputy program manager told Sudan Tribune that the civil society groups will play very important role in conducting civics voter education for the people about upcoming referendum.
The referendum is taking placed as part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the ruling National Congress Party and the former Southern rebels Sudan People’s Liberation Movement who have governed the south for the last six years.
It is widely expected that the south will vote for independence in the referendum due to take place 9 January 2010.
Informing people in the south which has poor communication and transport networks will be a challenge. Going to door to door to inform people will be one of the main methods of voter mobilization.
(ST)