Lakes state political parties agree to preach peaceful referendum

By Manyang Mayom

September 25, 2010 (RUMBEK) – The Governor of Lakes state, Chol Tong Mayay, has initiated forum of Southern Sudan political parties in the state to brainstorm on the way forward to achieve referendum in January 2011.

All nine Southern Sudan political parties operating in Lakes state on Wednesday merged together at Southern Sudan Logistic (SSL) to brainstorm on how referendum could be achieved in Lakes state without obstacle. The political forum was held under the theme “If not we, who? If not now, when?”.

Speaking in (Lakes State Political Parties’ Referendum Forum), Governor Chol said that referendum is left with few days, and more effort is needed to backup Southern Sudan interest in achieving peaceful referendum in January 2011. The forums also agree to share state media for dissemination of information about referendum as well facilitation to be handled by the ruling parties, the SPLM.

He called upon other political parties to initiate other issues and should not only rely on the SPLM. Governor Chol said “we shall honor the spirit of those who scarified their lives for the sake of freedom by making sure that we bring Southerners freedom.” He welcomed the ideas and contribution from others political parties that can lead to the building a prosperous Lakes state.

He appealed to all nine political parties in Lakes state to omit the politics differences which divide the state and he ensured them to work for common demand of people of Southern Sudan to achieve new country in 2011.

Gabriel Kuc Abyei, leader of Sudan African National Congress party in Lakes state told forum that “South Sudan war has been so long in history – let us keep away from our local politics differences and let discourage united Sudan not to happen once again. We have suffered under [it].”

The Governor clarified that the meeting was an initiative of the government of Lakes State to invited political parties to brainstorm solution to help Southern Sudan in oppression. He also added that the nine political parties represented were to deliberate their role in the forthcoming Sudan referendum, and especially the stages involved, that is, registration, actual voting, and post referendum reality.

The members of the nine political parties resolved to form a body called “Lakes State political parties Referendum Coordination Forum.” The forum is tasked to carryout awareness of referendum and to coordinate with civil society organizations.

Marko Chol Maciec, Lakes State Advisor for Political Affairs, stated that the body will “represent Southern political parties and civil society organizations on referendum awareness and preparation”.

Maciec affirmed that this body will “engage the Southern Sudan referendum commission on issues connected with the referendum,” besides educating Lakes State inhabitants regarding the referendum through rallies and the media, cooperating with law enforcement agencies to maintain security in the State, and preparing the people to choose either unity or separation at the referendum.

Peter Machar Agok, a member of Sudan ruling party, the National Congress Party (NCP) Political Bureau, said that the Southern Sudanese who are members of NCP are advocating for separation although they are overwhelmed by Khartoum power, adding that Northern Sudanese in SPLM are advocating for unity.

The political parties represent at the meeting included SPLM, NCP, ANC, NJM, USAP1 and USAP2, UDSF, UDSF Main stream and SANU.

(ST)