Justices Africa organizes three-day conference in Yambio on referendum

September 18, 2010 (YAMBIO) – A three-day conference on referendum dialogue on Thursday kicked off in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria state.

Southern Sudan will hold a referendum on January 9 to decide if it would declare independence or remain with the rest of Sudan. The three-day conference was facilitated and organized by Justice Africa UK, under the theme” working for peace and human rights in Africa.”

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Deputy Director of Justice Africa, Madam Rose Bako said that “this is the third time [we] are conducting this Special Initiative in the states of Southern Sudan.

“The preparation for the forth coming referendum which is the Final opera of the CPA is crucial for Justice Africa,” stressed Mrs. Bako.

Western Equatoria Chairperson of Referendum High Committee (RHC), Sibrino Barnaba Farajallah, added that “the referendum is a momentous political decision and will determine the future of one Sudan or divided Sudan.”

He cautioned the participants “to convey the message to those who are 90% sure that they will vote during the referendum voting date.”

Sibrino stated that the role of the referendum high committee is to organize and monitor the whole referendum exercise starting with registration to tabulation of results.

In the opening remarks, Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, governor of Western Equatoria appreciated Justice Africa for the initiative which they have taken, adding that “this is the first step taken for all the counties in Western Equatoria, and other dignitaries from other States who have assembled to discuss the referendum process.”

Bakosoro cautioned the participants “to stay alarmed not to be bribed, as the upcoming referendum will be once in life time.”

The governor challenged the county commissioners and the chiefs to disseminate the messages of referendum to masses until the last man/woman in the village. “A leader does not wait for people to address or talk to them, but prepares to address his/her people any time applicable to keep the communities informed” quoted Bakosoro.

Bakosoro cautioned the citizens of WES to “look into the history of Sudan since 1947 when the issue making unity attractive started, to 1956, 1972, and 1983 when the movement emerged until CPA in 2005, what are the changes in making Unity attracted?”

Bakosoro quoted that there were five elements that would atomically qualify a Nation or Country. These include the Population, the Armed forces, Resources,(Oil, Trees, etc), Geographical boundaries or borders and President of the Country, “therefore Southern Sudan qualifies to be an independent Country.”

He urged County Commissioners, honorable members of the state assembly and state Ministers to show simplicity and be close to the people as the motto of the current Western Equatoria state government is for all people to be in the same boat.

Bakosoro continued to preach of peace and reconciliation amongst all the citizens of Western Equatoria to allow people to “live with one mind, spirit and one heart to face the critical decision making exercise comes Jan 2011.”

(ST)