Authorities in Unity state receive over 6,000 returnees from Khartoum ahead of referendum
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
October 30, 2010 (BENTIU)- Unity state authorities say they have received 6,000 returnees from Khartoum as part of attempts to repatriate southern Sudanese to the region ahead of January’s self determination referendum.
The referendum, which could see South Sudan become the world’s newest nation, was a key aspect of a 2005 peace deal between former southern rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party.
During Sudan’s civil wars many southerners have moved to Khartoum and other areas of the north, to escape conflict, look for work and to gain access to services such as health care and education.
With just other two months until voting begins on January 9 many southerners are returning to region.
The repatriation program is being organized by the South Sudan Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in cooperation with South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, International Organization for Migration and the UN’s Refugee Agency UNHCR.
The state Minister of Information and Communications, Gideon Gatpan Thaor, told Sudan Tribune that on Saturday Unity state received 61 buses and 25 truck loads of items for those returned from the north.
The southern government, UN agencies and NGO’s are working to ensure southern Sudanese who wish to return to Unity state and other parts of the south are able to do so.
As well as transportation they are trying to aid reintegration and provide adequate services to those who have returned.
State authorities have already prepared land for over four thousand of people in the Bentiu the state capital, for those who wish to remain.
Other arrangements are being made on a county level for returnees who want to settle in other parts of the state.
Unity state’s Deputy Governor, William Dawuot Riak, said he appreciated the efforts underway to return Southerners before the referendum on January 9.
(ST)
Akuma
Authorities in Unity state receive over 6,000 returnees from Khartoum ahead of referendum
Still, they are not yet over, all the Internal Displaced persons (IDPs) need to be transported to their residential places in order to cast their votes. Northern Sudan is not serve for Southern Sudanese IDPs leaving in khartoum.
This is because people don’t know what will happen after and before referendum, that need IDPs to be return all at one before referendum.
Dr. Akuma
USA
Simon Peter Wal
Authorities in Unity state receive over 6,000 returnees from Khartoum ahead of referendum
Its good that Unity State Government is exerting big efforts to receive its IDPs early before the 9th of January 2011.it is known to all that the northern border of the state that’s aligning to South Kordofan is volatile due to border dispute..So any delay of returning those IDPs home will be disiasterous for they won’t reach home should there be any war between North NCP and South Sudan.