Referendum Youth groups defends Southern Sudanese quest for separation
By John Agou Wuoi
August 8, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — A Southern Sudanese youth referendum advocacy group called Southern Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum (SSYFR) has strongly defended popular opinion among Southern Sudanese to vote for a sovereign and independent Southern Sudan during the upcoming referendum on self-determination.
Speaking during a meeting with a joint parliamentary group from the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the National Assembly on Sunday, Southern Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum representative Mr. Ajou Deng said that Southern Sudan have decided to vote for separation during the referendum describing calls for unity as unrealistic.
“We, the Southern Sudanese have already decided to vote for an independent Southern Sudan where we will live as first class citizen. We continue to be oppressed everywhere in Sudan and those calling for unity of Sudan have not done anything to make unity attractive,” he stressed.
Daniel Deng, another vocal member of Southern Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum, said that the history of the Sudan favours Southern Sudanese quest for separation adding that Southerners will vote for separation during the referendum.
“Our brothers in the North have done little to make unity attractive. For example before independence of Sudan, the British who colonised Sudan asked Sudanese authorities then to proposed names of Sudanese to fill 800 civil servants position being left by the British. Only four positions were allocated to Southern Sudanese, this situation has not changed until now, Southern Sudanese continue to be discriminated against and oppressed,” he said.
Members of My Referendum for Freedom (MRF), a civil society group that is creating awareness on referendum among Southern Sudanese through civic education programs, also said that the current situation does not favour unity of Sudan adding those calling for a united Sudan are not “sincere” as evidenced by negative media campaign in Khartoum against Southern Sudan and those calling for separation.
The Chairperson of My Referendum for Freedom, Nyanthon Hoth Mai said those calling for unity have failed to address the critical issues that led to the war between the North and South. “It’s important that we critically look at the issues that brought fighting among ourselves. Even if Southern Sudanese vote for a united Sudan now, that does not really solve the problems of the Sudan. We will still go back to war”, she said. She strongly criticised the so-called Unity Support Fund set up to convince Southerners to vote a united Sudan describing it as “coating bitter with sugar”. “We did not go to war because of money and availing money for unity will not convince Southerners to vote for unity”, she maintained.
The youth also called on those for calling for unity to focus on solving Darfur crisis instead of focusing on Southern Sudan because “Southern Sudan is gone long time ago”. They also cautioned the ruling elites in Khartoum against rigging referendum as this will lead to a renewed war between the North and the South. The Youth maintained that Southern Sudan and Northern Sudan will continue to live side by side and that there is no need to panic as Southern Sudan prepares to separate.
Joint members of parliamentary group, among them representatives from Darfur in the National Assembly said they will present their report on issues raised by the youth when the National Assembly convenes.
Southern Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum is holding a public rally today (Monday) to mobilise Southern Sudanese to vote for separation during the upcoming referendum.
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Dengtaath
Referendum Youth groups defends Southern Sudanese quest for separation
You can’t go wrong my dear country youth, and in particulary nyathon Hoth Mai, let us look back to our grievances as a nation, what was the cause of the war as you said.
Decieving ourselves with unrealistic unity is an invitation of another war, and I am sure if we the Youth will not work hardly to achieve the independent of the South, we will lead another war again against Khartoum which we cannot allow any more.
It is our time now to put alot of effort on mobilising our citizens to understand the vital of separation
Those who are calling for unity, whether are southerners or Northerners, they are failed to understand the country problem, Sudan will be better off separation rather than in unity.
Unity fund is crap, meaningless, where was this mentality from all those years of suffering? Why would Khartoum treating us like kids and stupid? How could somebody bribe you with your wealth?
That money for unity fund comes from our oil, and we know tomorrow we will own this oil. We don’t need those bribing projects, we have been living in pain for century and yet we are still alive.
May I send to you my sincere thanks to all working hard to achieve independent for South.
I admired you all and loving you all
God bless all and our country.
dengtaath
Dinka Boy
Referendum Youth groups defends Southern Sudanese quest for separation
According to Dinka traditions, when they planned for an attack, it’s often accompanied by organized war dances before the actual conflicts start. Now, the referendum that was promised in the CPA has no other alternative rather to make the final war dance if the NCP want it that way, or they allowed us to vote freely without their influence.
Frankly, NCP has complicated the issues of referendum, but we have no ears to listen to them at this critical time, never. Certainly, this has been very clear from the speeches of the second Vice-president of Sudan-Ali Taha and the Arab elites against the stake of South. The SPLM/A is not sleeping because our problem with the North has been identified by our late leader Dr.John Garang de Mabior. Now, it will be our turn to vote for secession and make this the final war dances that will be equal to the 21 years of war in the Sudan.
“I and those who join me in bush and fought for more than twenty years have brought to you this CPA in a golden plate. Our mission is accomplished. It’s now your turn, especially those who did not have a chance to experience bush life. When time comes to vote at referendum, it’s your golden choice to determine your fate. Would you like to vote to be second class citizens in your own country? It’s absolutely your choice” by Dr Garang “This peace is not for Dr John Garang, Taha, or president Omer El Bashir, this peace belongs to all of Sudanese, to its neighbors, to Africans, and to the world” By
Padiet Deng Alony
Referendum Youth groups defends Southern Sudanese quest for separation
Simple answer those southerners who want unity with north let them stay there in the north as united sudan and let South Sudan separate. take your laggages and go to the north stay with them if you want unity.
Any attempt to postphone the referendum as scheduled in CPA is Red line and bloody, watch out Southern Sudan Youth For Separation the clock is ticking down.