‘Your future is your vote’ says Alur traditional leader in W. Bahr el Ghazal

By Manyang Mayom

November 23, 2010 (JUBA) – A traditional Alur chief from Mapel Luo in Western Bahr El Ghazal state, Mathieu Madut Kon, has urged South Sudanese youth and elderly people to emulate the high turnout for the referendum registration that is being witnessed across South Sudan.

In January southerners will vote on whether they wish to remain united with the north of the country or separate to form a new nation. The referendum is part of a 2005 peace deal that ended over two decades of war between the north and the south.

Madut said that the referendum would close chapter of the history of “old Sudan” and although the south to create a “New Sudan”, echoing the rhetoric of the late John Garang who led the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) during the conflict.

He said “my children get register[ed] and vote for your future” saying choosing independence was a “wise” choice as “your future is your vote – and your vote is your final distinct country”.

The traditional leader spoke following a visit to Mapel Boma by the Western Bahr El Ghazal state Deputy Governor Efisio Kon Uguak on Monday where he urged the elders, traditional leaders and intellectuals to enlighten the community on the need to register for the referendum vote.

Deputy Governor Kon appealled to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) to deploy more registration staff at registration centers in Mapel in order to cope with the number of voters.

Chief Madut criticized the SSRC for establishing just six registration centers in the greater Mapel of Alur constituency despite it recording the highest voter turnout in Western Bahr El Ghazal state in the April’s general elections.

The elderly traditional leader urged the youth to use bicycles and motorbikes to mobilize voters. He described the forthcoming referendum as a once in a lifetime chance and said it is the only chance for South Sudanese to determine their future.

(ST)