Sudan: Kiir votes, vows to protect northerners after secession

January 9, 2010 (JUBA) — South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit has officially voted to mark the historic commencement of the long-awaited self-determination referendum in the semi-autonomous region.

Kiir, also Sudan’s first vice-president arrived at Dr. John Garang mausoleum polling center at about 8:05 am (local time) and cast his vote 20 minutes later, becoming the first person to be registered at the center.

“This is a historic and symbolic moment. It marks the official beginning of the right to self-determination for the people of Southern Sudan,” a smiling Kiir told hundreds journalists moments later.

President Kiir, reiterating his usual call for a peaceful process, urged registered southerners to turn up in large numbers and willingly exercise their right through participating in the referendum.

He further vowed to protect the interests of northerners currently living in the south, in an event that the latter attains its independence from the Arab-dominated regime.

Thousands of people thronged their respective polling centers as early as 6:30am (local time) and formed long queues while they waited for accredited polling agents, most of who arrived an hour later. Official voting begins at 8:00am and ends at 5:00pm.

“I am going to vote for separation. This is the very moment that every Southern Sudanese citizen has been waiting for. We are headed for our independence,” Clement Mayen, 31, a voter told Sudan Tribune at the mausoleum-based polling center.

Jane Aketch, 26, another voter said, “We are impressed to see the President of Southern Sudan leading us by example. Like they say, leaders lead by example as others follow.”

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS SPEAK OUT

Veronique De Keyser, the chief European Union (EU) observer said the large turnout and long queues was an indication that the people of Southern Sudan were all waiting for this ultimate moment.

“As a person, I extremely shocked and moved at the same time by the enormous numbers of voters present at the beginning of voting. This is a true sign of democracy among the people,” De Keyser, a Belgium Member of the European Parliament said.

The EU Chief observer, who also played a similar role during Sudan’s April 2010 general elections, further lauded the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) and its south-based referendum bureau for the vital role they played in the timely organizing of the referendum vote.

Overall, the EU has deployed some 104 observers and analysts from the 27 different EU member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland and Canada. The EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) is also joined by a delegation of 7 members of the European Parliament.

Hilder Juka-Mafudze, the Zimbabwean ambassador to Sudan described the huge voters’ turnout as “very emotional”.

“Only tears of joy can express this moment. It is really unbelievable. Am sure many Southern Sudanese cannot still accept that they have reached the very moment they longed for in their lives,” the Zimbabwean envoy told Sudan Tribune in a separate interview.

(ST)