Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
By James Gatdet Dak
May 6, 2010 (JUBA) – The Vice President designate of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, said the Southern Sudan’s referendum on independence may take place by the end of December this year so that the results are declared on 9th January 2011.
He added that 9th January 2011 would be the date for declaration of the official final result instead of beginning of polling and then counting of ballot papers.
Polling alone will take seven days in accordance with the referendum law. Dr. Machar said the earlier the formation of the referendum commissions the better so that voter registration takes place by July in Southern Sudan and Abyei.
He also stressed that he would want to see the upcoming popular consultations for Southern Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains taking place ahead of Southern Sudan’s referendum.
Dr. Machar made the remarks during his meeting on Wednesday with the US Special Envoy, Scott Gration, who visited the Southern Sudan’s capital, Juba, for the first time after announcement of results for the recently conducted presidential, gubernatorial and parliamentary elections in the region.
Machar is the Vice President designate after he was declared the running mate during the election campaign by the President elect, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who won the presidential election against his only rival, Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin.
Dr. Machar also in a separate related meeting on Wednesday briefed Koen Daviose, the Netherlands Special Envoy to the country on the political developments in the country.
The two diplomats were briefed, respectively, on post-elections issues including the upcoming formation of government at all levels and subsequent resumption of negotiations between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP), on the outstanding issues in the implementation of the 2005’s peace deal between North and South.
The referendum commission for Southern Sudan would soon be formed after formation of government by the two parties, he informed the visiting envoys.
The meeting touched on the formation of referendum commission for Abyei and the difficulty faced in trying to identify somebody who would head the body.
All his suggestions on possible candidates to head the commission were earlier rejected by the NCP, he explained.
The meeting stressed the importance of speeding up the demarcation process of the North-South border. Dr. Machar also revealed that there was a disagreement between the authority of Renk County of Upper Nile state and demarcation committee on the suggested borderline with the White Nile state in the North.
The Envoys and the Vice President also touched on the post-referendum issues which included the future of oil production, transport and marketing among several others.
Dr. Machar predicted that after the referendum the South would more likely experience a mass exodus of millions of Southern Sudanese internally displaced persons (IDPs) that currently reside in the North.
He appealed to the respective Envoys to support the upcoming processes in the implementation of the peace deal.
The diplomats also expressed willingness to continue to support the two parties and achieve smooth and successful implementation of the deal.
SECURITY CONCERNS
The US Envoy, Scott Gration also expressed concerns on insecurity in Southern Sudan during this critical phase in implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
He expressed the need to maintain stability in the region in order to achieve smooth conduct of referendum.
Last week, a former SPLA Deputy Chief of General Staff, Gen. George Athor, who became an SPLM official turned independent, was accused by the Southern Sudan government of being behind a deadly attack on its army barrack after he was defeated in elections by the Jonglei state’s incumbent governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk.
Gen. Athor had earlier denied any involvement in the rebellion at Doleib Hill military barrack, but his recent public statements to the media have confirmed that he has rebelled against the system and demanded the sacking of the incumbent governor, Kuol Manyang, as one of preconditions for any negotiations.
Unconfirmed media reports also suggested that another rebellion was brewing in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, resulting from suspicious movement of forces alleged to have allied themselves to a state’s independent gubernatorial candidate.
Official sources have so far denied the allegation.
The CPA, signed on January 9th in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has provided for the holding of referendum in the South.
The people of Southern Sudan are scheduled to vote in the January 2011 referendum to choose between forming an independent country and confirming the current unity of Sudan. The people of Abyei shall also vote to either join the South or remain in the North, while Southern Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains shall exercise popular consultations on their respective administrative and political status within the geographical North.
Kim Deng
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
Dr. Machar,
Rom Wech Guur.
Gatwech
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
Bravo Dr. Machar for reserving 9th January as Declaration Day.
Lokorai
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
Dear Southerners,
This is a man barking dogs from Dinka (Bor in particular) would always want to blackmail for flimsy arguments
President in waiting (Dr. Machar) people are behind you; go ahead and finish the job of liberation for your people, and in January surely we shall sing praises to God!
Please expel that greedy man called Malik Aggar from the SPLM; he is a mole within us.
Referendum now!
Lokorai
Madhod
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
Bravo Dr. Machar! it take courage, patient and intelligency to deal with and outsmart the So-NCP in the North. We have to prepared ourselves earlier to have smooth transition if South Sudan conceded from this lunatic government in the North. My hope is that you will always stay visualant and not be cheated by the NCP. Who know what NCP is working on now, after Bashir secured the presidency, they could decide to violated the CPA anytime, because the NCP is a tricky party. I’m already even hearing some rumors that the Sudan Army are now moving its army southward, trying to go back to their previous barracks they held before the signing of the CPA. This attempt is an indication that they are planning something. SPLA/M has to be smart this time, before we are blind fooled by the NCP.
Gat nyaraan
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
that will be a good move since there are many security threats which can derail the referendum. the south didn’t care must a bout that bogus election. the referendum is the most important provision for the south and southerners, so let it be done sooner than later.
James Okuk Solomon
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
Unless Dr. Riek Machar is dreaming far beyond the ongoing reality against the wave of the refererndum, his may-be of December 2010 is a wishful-thinking. Unless he wants to declare the self-determination by force using UDI, Dr. Machar is just joking politcally.
Please resolve the contentions of Gen. George Athor and other SPLA rebels against the GoSS and the SPLM first if you think it is possible for the refererndum to take place in the South in the agreed time. In truth we trust!
Manyok Manyuon
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
well done Dr Machar,you have spoil your first contribution and struggle in SPLM during the time you rebbel against the movement but now that you have come back to your people and your people forgive you your wrong,
it is your turn now to act positively for the people of southern sudan,our eyes are on what you are doing,I personally mark your compaign for SPLM as a party during election,it was positive and leading to the success of the party,again I have mark this word of Referundum polling before the dateline.this could be good for safety of CPA.
I strongly encourage you to continue pushing for it so that it will be done as you initiated with your SPLM colleaque.
Be with Salva kiir to the End Of South Independent
thanks for that strong vission
Dengcol malual
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
Hillary,
little education is better than worthless high education. Dr. Riek left the SPLA/M in 1991-2004 for that journey to Khartoum to help Bashir against the south Sudanese, and that little education defeated both until he came back shameless.
Akuma
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
Whether the referendum is done within this year or next year, then still referendum will still go ahead. It is for Southern Sudanese to decide which tyme is best for them.
Referendum will not be made again like election period because majority of people especially Southerners doesn’t cast their votes during election, they need to vote in this referendum because once people fail to successfully, then people will automatically remain as second class in Sudan.
Dr. Akuma,
Chicago USA
Moses Deng Malual
Sudan’s Machar says referendum polling may take place in December 2010
Bravo Dr.Machar,keep on hammaring.
Dr.Moses Deng Malual.