E. Equatoria applauds independence vote

February 9, 2011, (JUBA) – The governor of Eastern Equatoria state has told Sudan Tribune that he appreciates the final announcement of South Sudan’s referendum, which ended three weeks ago, pushing the region towards becoming an independent country.

On Tuesday the state’s governor, Louis Lojore Labong, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the people of his state. He said the declaration of the results shows clearly that the two parties to the 2005 peace deal, that established the South’s right to self determination, are committed in the promise they made when signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Implementing the six year long CPA between the former Southern rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the North’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has been an acrimonious affair. But despite other parts of the deal being severely delayed the Southern referendum went ahead on time.

Governor Labong said the outcome of the referendum was leading the South to the “promised land” that war torn region had been waiting for. He urged citizens of the South, particularly in Eastern Equatoria to “remain calm” until the peace deal ends on July 9 and the South becomes independent.

The governor congratulated the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the SPLM the region’s ruling party in the south for their tireless efforts to make sure the results were peacefully announced.

Labong, said the visions and missions of SPLM cannot be broken, adding that citizens of south will not be second-class citizens but first class citizens with unique profiles that will respect the rights and will of the people.

He also praised the referendum’s international observers, specifically mentioning the African Union, European Union, and the East African body (IGAD) for monitoring the referendum to ensure that it was not rigged and it was fair and transparent.

On the contested border region of Abyei, the governor told Sudan Tribune resolving the issues would be like climbing a mountain. He said the government of South Sudan hoped that the oil-producing regions referendum, to decide whether to be in the North or South, can be held before the peace deal expires and the South becomes independent in July.

(ST)