Salva Kiir urges traditional chiefs to cooperate in Sudan’s census

January 15, 2008 (WAU) — Sudanese First Vice-President and President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) has invited traditional chiefs of Great Bahr el-Ghazal to contribute to the success of national census, which will begin in next April, indicating that the census is closely linked to development and provision of services to citizens.

In a meeting with the Sultans of Bahr el-Ghazal states on Tuesday evening, Salva Kiir informed them that border demarcation commission would begin work next February. He further pointed out that he had called for a meeting included governors of northern Bahr el-Ghazal, Western Bahr el-Ghazal, Upper Nile, South Darfur, southern Kordufan, White Nile, Sennar, Blue Nile to assist the Commission in its task in the demarcation of the border.

He also urged the sultans to contribute to the success of the Commission’s work and pledged to rehabilitate hospitals, health centres, schools, water and electricity stations which have been destroyed in wartime.

The First Vice-President further said that there are “Enemies of Peace” who want to spoil the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and recommended them to be cautious saying they intend to destabilize the security and stability in the southern Sudan.

He renewed the commitment of southern Sudan government to allow cattle herders from Misseriarya tribe to cross Bahr al-Arab and move their cattles south for grazing and water. Nonetheless, Salva Kiir stressed the need to respect disarmament in southern Sudan. He added that GoSS disarmed citizens and it would not authorize anyone to enter its territories with weapons.

He disclosed that President Omer al-Bashir asked him to withdraw SPLA forces south to Bahr al-Arab. He underlined the need to strengthen peaceful coexistence between citizens and making the common border between the southern and northern states a meeting point between the sons of one homeland.

(ST)