Thousands of people take part in Bor town procession

August 9, 2010 (BOR) – Youth monthly procession that calls for creation of new nation out of Sudan took another twist on Monday as demonstrators add timely and constitutional conduct of referenda in Southern Sudan and Abyei.

The march started at Bor town freedom square and continued to Langbar Ateet road before making a U-turn to the office of Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang Juuk for a key note address and the peaceful protestors disperse. Similar processions are organized concurrently in Ayod, Pibor, Twic East and Akobo counties on Monday, Jonglei youth leaders reported.

August 9 makes it exactly 5 months if the referendum will be conducted on 9th January, 2011 as agreed in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on 9th January, 2005 between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army and Khartoum government represented by the National Congress Party of President Al-Bashir.

Waving banners with writings such as ‘My referendum, My freedom; Referendum for Separation; No delay to conduct of referendum’, the youths’ organized procession attracted churches, women association, traders’ union among other civil groups. On orange T-shirts wear today is a writing ‘referendum is youth golden chance for your total independence.’

‘LOOKING FOR FREEDOM’

David Malith Maluk, a demonstrator told the Sudan tribune that “This demonstration is important to the south…basically to peruse the course of CPA. The CPA is for two choices [unity or separation] but majority of people are looking for freedom and we are going to opt for separation.”

“This is our soil and we ought to own it,” another demonstrator Mathing Garang said while holding two pieces of soil on his hands.

But there is frustration in the rally following media reports that Tarig Osman, a member of southern Sudan referendum commission, has said the remaining time is not sufficient for smooth conduct of referendum. Mr. Osman suggested referendum postponement – a statement the SPLM that rules semi-autonomous southern Sudan describes as “unprofessional.”

“This man [Osman] is not professional in his talk. First of all, the commission has not held a meeting or the two parties the NPC and SPLM have not complained to them [referendum commission],” Atem Garang, the Deputy Speaker of National Assembly told UN sponsored Miraya FM on Sunday.

As the Bor procession on Monday, governor Kuol assured demonstrators that the referendum will not be postponed by “even an hour.”

“The CPA says on the 9th of January 2011, all registered southerners will vote for unity or separation. This is constitutional right and will not be violated,” Kuol said.
Since the procession exercises calling for separation began on 9 May this year in southern Sudan, no group calling for unity have shown up. But the governor Jonglei told separatists today that all rights must be respected.

“If there is a group calling for unity, it is free to come out and I will address them here too. That is their right and we shall respect it,” he said.

In related development, Jonglei state assembly is studying a bill that requires all citizens to pay some “little fee” to support preparation for referendum. Governor Kuol requested the separatist as well as unionists to support the bill which is expected to be passed by the state assembly this week.

(ST)