Yambio getting ready for peace 5th anniversary

By Philip Thon Aleu

January 16, 2010 (YAMBIO, WES) – It is two weeks into the New Year 2010 but in Western Equatoria State (WES), the last days are compressed till January 19 – when celebration for the 5th Anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) will be held.

The celebration in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State, has attracted thousands of Sudanese hoping to witness the last chance of celebrating CPA as a united Country pending southerners’ decision next year in a referendum for self determination as unity is seen as frail option.

Yambio residents, like politicians here, have security, economical and social reasons to welcome this year’s celebration. In every corner of a football pitches and stadiums, the security is tight. Economically, citizens selling local products like bananas, oranges, lemon apples or pineapples should brag.

“I’m very happy to see that people from all over Sudan are coming to Yambio,” said Alice, a roadside retailer selling fruits that are favorites for many visitors from hot or temperate regions of the Sudan.

Indeed, the living styles of WES citizens are also an added advantage to hosting CPA anniversary. Unlike in other towns of Southern Sudan where villagers are entirely dependent on imported food items, the reverse is true – to some degree, in Yambio.

In this town where dust is generated by increasing traffic and constructions, the cyclists, motorists and pedestrians loaded with cassava, yam and sugar canes among other items converge to inundate the market where prices are fairly low.

“This is what I sell every day. I have a plantation of banana,” a man speaking through a translator told the Sudan Tribune early on Saturday.

Population in the town has doubted as the long awaited event nears. Though lodges and hotels owners have raised night fares nearly to perpetuity, getting accommodating rooms remain a challenge. Thus, schools now host visitors.

As final preparations at Yambio International Stadium continue, sport teams from the ten Southern states have already started the CPA 5th Anniversary tournament. The football, volleyball, basketball and athletic teams are in knock-out stages for final matches scheduled for January 19.

(ST)