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South Sudan’s President warns against violence during referendum campaigns

October 20, 2010 (JUBA) – The President of the semi-autonomous government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday, issued a statement warning that policies inciting violence during campaigns in the forthcoming referendum on self determination for people of south Sudan, would not be tolerated.

Salva Kiir arrives at Juba airport on May 03, 2008
Salva Kiir arrives at Juba airport on May 03, 2008

South Sudan is widely expected to vote for independence in the poll, agreed as part of a 2005 peace deal that ended over two decades of war between north and south.

Kiir said his government would create an environment for all parties and advocacy groups to campaign freely for both unity and separation and urged state governors to do the same.

“All state governments and institutions must create conducive environment for all proponents without distinction on the basis of their choices,” said president Kiir in a six page document received by Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

Advocacy groups campaigning in support of both two options would receive government funds to make their case, the document said.

Kiir warned that any campaign that incited violence would not be tolerated.

“The government of southern Sudan will fund both advocacy groups campaigning for unity and secession and assure them to freely campaign for options of their choices without holding any fear. This is what I have been saying and I repeated it during the opening session of all political parties’ conference which ended on Sunday. I said a high leveled ground will be provided for all to campaign freely,” said Kiir.

The president of the regional government said that he wanted all political parties to be empowered to play a role in educating voters for all processes of registration and polling as well as campaigning.

President Kiir, while addressing the end of the southern political parties’ conference that ended on Sunday urged his own government controlled by the SPLM in the south and the Khartoum government dominated by the National Congress Party to protect rights of the citizens.

Many southerners live in Khartoum and other areas of the north and northern Sudanese also live and work in south Sudan.

Salva Kiir arrives at Juba airport on May 03, 2008
Salva Kiir arrives at Juba airport on May 03, 2008

Kiir said that in the event that if the south secedes all citizens and their property should be protected.

Calling for regular consultation among political leaders and parties before, during and after the conduct of referenda, he emphasized the need for the two regions to improve their relationship.

“I have said many times in several meetings and occasions that south Sudan will exert all necessary efforts to maintain close and improved relations with the north if it secedes because it will not move from its original geographical location.”

“If it separates, it will not be shifted to the India occasion or to anywhere else a part from its current geographical location. It will remain here in the same geographical location. The same to the north unless something magical occurs, hence the need to maintain close and improved relations with all her neighbors,” said Kiir.

The two sides are currently deadlocked over establishing the commission for a separate referendum in the oil-rich region of Abyei.

They also cannot agree on which tribes will be legible to vote.

This week the north reacted angrily to Kiir’s suggestion that a UN buffer zone of peacekeepers should be established on the north-south border.

(ST)

7 Comments

  • Michael Madit Magot
    Michael Madit Magot

    South Sudan’s President warns against violence during referendum campaigns
    That is a warning in place mr president, all political parties and individuals should be allowed to campaign freely for their own choices.
    If there is any southerner who wish to campaign for unity let him do so without harassment or whatever!
    We should rejoice that we have been given this chance.

    Reply
  • Adam
    Adam

    South Sudan’s President warns against violence during referendum campaigns
    Dear Mr. President

    This is one of the best announcements you’ve ever made. By doing so, we guarantee that the result of the referendum will be accepted by the North, African and International communities.

    You’re right Mr. President that violence and clashes are not tolerated. Police must be very prepared to intervene to put a peaceful end to any undesirable crisis. SPLA must be alert to defend the international borders and protect the citizens from any attack(s) by any external enemy, especially LRA and the rebels of the South.

    One word to all Southerners who are eligible for voting (especially youth), please be wise, careful and peaceful. Do not blame anybody for whatever choice. Go not deny the “other” his/her right to choose. We must exercise self restraints and proves to the world that we are democratic, free and tolerant. We need everyone to take an active part, so no one will come later and complain that he/she has been deprived a basic human or political right.

    Well done! Let us now go for the hard work ahead. Speech must be translated into sincere actions.

    Long Live all political parties.

    We’re much better in diversity. It is our real strength.

    Adam Milawaki, Kansas City

    Reply
  • Akuma
    Akuma

    South Sudan’s President warns against violence during referendum campaigns
    President Salva Kiir must keep warning to everyone in the country because all people have taste the bitterness of war and sweeterness of freedom within these five years of comprehensive peace agreement brought in.

    I am sure, none of Southerners would not campaign for unity unless if someone was blind and deaf within 22years of civil war in Sudan. However, regardless of human right, Southerners must campaign of Separation for their country ”New Sudan” next year. Southern Sudan should be like countris which were divided due to misunderstanding among their leadership style like Ethiopia, South and North Korea, Somalia but mentioned the few.
    Why not Sudan? if problems keep existing?

    Dr. Akuma
    USA

    Reply
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