Census ends unsuccessfully in South Sudan
By James Gatdet Dak
May 7, 2008 (JUBA) – The population and housing census in Southern Sudan officially ended on Tuesday, May 6, unsuccessfully according to reports from various states in the region.
The Chairperson for the Southern Sudan Census, Statistics and Evaluation Commission, Mr. Isaiah Chol Aruai, in a press statement he issued on Tuesday, estimated that about ninety to ninety-five percent (90% to 95%) of South Sudan population has been counted.
Aruai blamed a number of challenges for not achieving a 100% headcount. He said insecurity in the South coupled with heavy rainfalls in some states were among the obstacles to the success of the census.
The Census Chairperson however concluded that the exercise went on well.
Sample reports from various states such as Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Eastern Equatoria, Upper Nile and Lakes states dispute the census results, saying many more areas have not been reached and counted in the region.
For instance, Census Field Coordinators in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, reported that several villages near to the North-South border have been counted to the northern population by enumerators from Southern Kordufan while dozens of villages more were not mapped in the census mapping and therefore could not be located for the count.
A similar report came out of Rumbek where about twenty-eight villages and many more cattle camps were not counted because they were not included in the census mapping. Some villages, although mapped, could not be accessed because of insecurity in the area, the report added.
Census Field Coordinators also complain about lack of transport, saying in some situations two Counties had to share only one vehicle for the enumeration exercise and without means to communicate.
There is also a wide range of complaints by enumerators that promises by respective state census offices to make them sign contracts in order to get paid after the exercise have not materialized, leaving enumerators confused and worried whether they would get paid or not.
The Sudan Population and Housing count is the most important mechanism in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) meant to determine how power and wealth should be shared between North and South in accordance with the census results.
The results of the Census will also be used for determining political constituencies prior to the conduct of the country’s general elections in 2009.
This will also be used by the government in planning for distribution of basic services across this vast country.
Aruai said the next step is for the census authority in the country to compile, analyze and disseminate the results within the next three months.
(ST)
Toposa Boy southerner
Census ends unsuccessfully in South Sudan
Am Pessimistic about the future of southerners
Something is very wrong about silver kirr
Gatwech
Census ends unsuccessfully in South Sudan
Dear people,
Results of the census are a fiasco for Southern Sudan. Salva Kiir has committed very high treason, a sellout. We have lost the only mechanism to share power and wealth, get more political constituencies, put the history of Sudan right as African and not Arab nation, etc. The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly should impeach this incompetent man, called Salva Kiir. Or let the SPLM coming Convention remove him.
Maganydam
Census ends unsuccessfully in South Sudan
Hay Sudanese
Many other persons from my tate-Jonglei are not also counted hence need is requested from the GoSS to know that the uniformed Southerners have given births please, budget their life as others who are counted.
Late recognition of mistakes would make the GoNU assume the Ethnicity, religion and many more.
Give time for accuracy and analyse critically.
Thanks a lot
Dhieu Dok
Census ends unsuccessfully in South Sudan
This is what we were expecting. Let’s not blame anyone but ourselves who caused insecurity and think that Salva Kiir is going to perform magical powers.
Pothwei Apet Bangoshoth
Census ends unsuccessfully in South Sudan
Dear Sudanese folks
We all know that Sudan 5th census is part of the CPA implimentation because it opens doors for the Sudanese people to conduct both, genelal election and 2011 referandom. Today the census outcome is negative. Why do we blame our president kiir for that? Let’s come together to build South Sudan by supporting him. I don’t think his replacement is a good solution. Kiir replacement by someone else will not
change Sudan in general or South Sudan it self. We need to develop SPLM to be strongest political party in southern Sudan to lead Sudan in up coming election. God bless you all so that you can keep Sudan strong all over the nations.