Machar calls for massive turnout during South Sudan independence vote

December 10, 2010 (JUBA) – The Vice President of the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, Riek Machar Teny, has told the people of Southern Sudan to begin counting the days before a referendum on the region’s independence.

The people of Southern Sudan have concluded registration for the vote on December 8, with more than four million registered. South Sudan is expected to vote to separate from the north in the referendum on January 9, 2011 in accordance with a 2005 peace deal.

During his visit to several counties of Upper Nile and Jonglei states in the last days of registration period, Machar told citizens that the time had come for the people of Southern Sudan to pass their verdict on the future of the region.

The Vice President said that it was the political struggle to achieve self-determination that caused the armed struggle for generations and that it was time to put it to an end through the ballot box.

He said any body that had registered must make sure that they votes on 9 January. A 60% turnout is needed for the vote to be legitimate.

“It is not like in the elections where you voted for somebody else to represent you. In the referendum you will vote for your own future,” he told them.

During his tour and public rallies in the counties close to or bordering the North including Fashoda and Panyikang in Shilluk Kingdom, Maban and Longechuk counties, the Vice President told the citizens of those areas to work towards improving good neighborly relations with northern communities even if the
referendum outcome is to secede.

“Even if the outcome of the referendum would be secession as indicators suggest, don’t be tempted to mistreat northerners living among you. They have the same right to live and do trade in the South. Don’t bring shame to the Government of Southern Sudan, your state government and county authorities in the eyes of international community through irresponsible behavior. If anybody would commit any crime against a northerner or loot his or her property, that person shall be brought to book and face the law,” he warned.

Machar also said the Arab nomads who seasonally migrate to the South with their cattle and families in search of grazing lands and water during dry seasons should continue to do so without any denial, and urged the counties bordering the North to continue giving them access to the South even after separation.

“Even if the South would separate from the North in the next month’s referendum, this will not mean separation of southerners from northerners. The people of the South and of the North would continue to improve on good relations. It is always bad to have unfriendly neighbor,” he warned.

He added in the event of secession Arab nomadic tribes will be continue to seasonally move to the South but they will have to leave their weapons in the North or handed over to the police forces at the border points until they cross back.

While addressing a rally of tens of thousands of people in Malakal town, the state capital, Machar said the current mood among southerners has indicated they will vote for secession. He told the citizens of Malakal that unity of Sudan was not made attractive as provided for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

“People talked of making unity attractive and yet six years down the road you are still living here in the dust,” he told them as the crowd responded with ululations and hand claps.

The governor of Upper Nile state, Lt. Gen. Simon Kun Puoch also assured that there was no chance for unity of Sudan, predicting that overwhelming majority, if not all, of his state’s citizens will vote for secession.

The Vice President also visited Melut and Baliet Counties in Upper Nile state and Nyirol County in Jonglei state where he took the same message to the people.

(ST)