South Sudan referendum bureau pledges neutrality

July 23, 2010 (JUBA) – Southern Sudan’s referendum bureau pledged on Friday to remain neutral during throughout the south’s vote on secession from the north of the country due to take place next year.

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, from the regional capital Juba, Chan Rec, deputy chairman of the referendum commission said:

“As officials we are prepared. No soldier will ever say [they are] not prepared to execute [the] orders of the commanding officers. The same applies in government, when an official is appointed by [the] president of the country; he accepts and does it as required by the law, we are prepared.”

Rec, who is also Deputy Attorney General in the regional Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), said that his commission and the government were ready to conduct the referendum on schedule in January, 2011.

The referendum was agreed as part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party and the former southern rebel group the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – SPLM. The deal, which ended 22 years of civil war stipulated a six year interim period, where power and oil wealth would be shared between the two parties.

“Everybody is aware because they know that there will be will a referendum at the end of six years of the interim period based on the agreement for people of southern Sudan. Media in collaboration with civil society groups, churches and international organizations and government officials are also conducting workshops and seminars,” to ensure that the people of southern Sudan informed about the referendum, Rec said.

With just five months until polling, registration has yet to begin.

“We are now waiting for [the] start of [the] registration process as materials and ballot papers are being received. Other materials are already in place,” said Rec.

The commission plans to launch a media centre in Juba and Khartoum for journalists and other interested people to access information and the results of the referendum.

Many analysts feel that majority of the southerners will overwhelmingly vote for secession from the north.

(ST)