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Sudan Tribune

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2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan

January 9, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Southern Sudanese living in the north say they are worried by the prospective of referendum on self determination next year.

In January 2011 southern Sudanese will have to decide on its future between remaining part of the current Sudan or decide to establish their own state. However, observers agree on the high potential of war between the two parties due to the mistrust and the existence f many unresolved issues.

However, during the long years of war many southern displaced settled in the north and their children, born and bred in the north, have no link with southern Sudan.

After short calls for a peaceful coexistence within a united Sudan before the death of the late John Garang, southern Sudanese seem resolved to opt for separation. However, the post referendum arrangements including the fate of southerners settled in the north are not yet discussed.

“The government of south Sudan should already be making these arrangements, they should begin to expect large numbers of people going to the south,” said Father George Jangara of the Catholic Church in Khartoum in an interview with Reuters.

He added violence and chaos could be avoided if political leaders agreed on clear plans and began an immediate media campaign so people had enough time to come to terms with either outcome.

“People are already worried … about their property and they worry about their lives,” he said. “It’s high time our leaders think of sitting and talking about it — the time is now,” Jangara added.

During the talks over the referendum law which is adopted recently after difficult talks between the two peace partners, the SPLM said preferring to discuss the post war arrangements after the referendum results.

The arrangements include issues like the fate of southerners residing in the north but also oil investments and compensations.

“North Sudan cannot ignore me,” said Keji Roman, a southerner woman born and bred in the capital. “Khartoum is my city — I don’t think Khartoum can close its door in my face.”

Majok Giec from Lakes state moved to Khartoum when he was just 15 years old. He told Reuters he did not trust the government in the north to protect the rights of southerners who would remain there post secession.

“There must be internationals … here to make sure those who stay here have their human rights,” he said in fluent Arabic.

The issue of citizenship rights and imposition of Islamic legislation were among the root cause of the war between the north and the south. However many southerners living in the north are expected to remain there particularly those who born and bred there.

“This government has to recognize the rights of its people, no matter what their religion or ethnicity so that they feel welcome in the country,” said Bishop Daniel Adwok Kur from the Archdiocese of Khartoum.

“They must realize that religions, Christianity and Islam, can coexist together, not just tolerate each other,” Kur said.

(ST)

16 Comments

  • Dinka Boy
    Dinka Boy

    2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan
    Yes, the Southern Sudanese residing in the North must be worried,and in fact 2010 is going to ugly leave alone 2011.

    Reply
  • H5N1
    H5N1

    2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan
    Dinkas everywhere are crying fault. just come back to south and see the looting acts of your brothers here. “taa ye rek ce bi goa ka bia rar ka ca kor jiok thiang deng ci gat cake bi chama ca yang kor”

    Reply
  • Dr.Agany
    Dr.Agany

    2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan
    Time is up already. If u know the village where ur father comes from, then try to trace that route and get yourself introduce to village chief and elders. There is nothing GOSS can do about you in Northern Sudan. People were fighting to make home safe for ur return. No more negotiation with NCP after referendum. Whoever want protection from GOSS or people of south sudan should come home. Talking in fluent arabic doesn’t mean that u are an arab otherwise remain there and fight ur own liberation.

    Reply
  • Kur
    Kur

    2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan
    “Southerners bred in the North” sounds dirty to me. I want to know what does this reporter mean by the word “bred”?
    Southerners in the north should come home quickly. They must know that they have no future in Khartoum.

    Reply
  • Fuck Jonkoz
    Fuck Jonkoz

    2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan
    He who remains in Khartoum until now is a fool. Northerners are our eternal enemies, How then can a Southern Sudanese remain there even though it is now known that Southerners are going to vote for separation unanimously. Dinka/ Nuer attempted dominance could be overcome within days if the other tribes could unite, NOT against Dinka or whatever and not committing the same mistake of discriminating against your own race the Southern Sudanese unless in selfdeffense. That obstacle will be resolved sooner or later. The reason those ‘Jonkoz’ or the Dinkas, especially those of Mading Bor misbehave like that agaist the other non-dinka tribes in Juba or elsewhere is because those Jonkoz they are naturally born fools. If you have a foolish brother, in this case our brother the Bor Dinka and their supporters, you don’t have to destroy them as they are doing to others and they do it so cowardly, I mean when an SPLA soldier attack civilians from other tribes
    claiming retaliation for tribal conflicts. This discredits the great SPLA into a small ugly dinks thing, which must be rejected at all costs. Coming to remaining in the North up to now, my advice to all the Southerners residing in Khartoum is that please begin to sell your property and move back to South Sudan. I lived in Khartoum myself for many years. Here is the scenario bound to take place very soon: The South will get independence by the power of YES vote by the Southerners to separate, the foolish and silly minority of some mentally sick Southerners will not make any difference. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, leave Khartoum immediately

    [email protected]

    Reply
  • majak garang
    majak garang

    2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan
    I think Southern Sudanes Peopel have seen with there eyes what SPLA-M all about.Before even thinking of referendum and what kind of Country we ought to have,also what the future hold for the childeren born in the north.Would it be acountry base on tribalisam or dictatorship as we have seen salva preventing others of running for election. However,five years has past of CPA. What are the SPLA-M achievement interm of develobment in South sudan .With more then nine billion Dollars in cash from the oil? We need not to be to excited or very emotional,but realistic.Cholo(shilluk)proverb:we believe in what we see.

    Reply
  • kuminyandi
    kuminyandi

    2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan
    Either way, they will not be safe in the North or in the South.

    Reply
  • Danisco
    Danisco

    2011 referendum prospective worries Southerners in North Sudan
    yes, southerner who are staying in north here should get worried; because we do believe that there may be secret war and this will make it difficult for them to stay here in north. but I want to say that please people have faith in God and you will find your way out of this trouble by the name of our lord Jesus Christ. there is no thing to worry about as long as you have faith in god

    Reply
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