SSLA Member Calls For Peaceful Sudanese Referendum

Western Bahr el Ghazal State member of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly Professor Arkangelo Bari Wanji has urged South Sudanese to remain calm as the referendum approaches.

He told a public rally at Jur River in Eastern Bank in the Western Bahr el Ghazal State capital Wau Saturday that South Sudanese have remained marginalised in the last 50 years of unity of the Sudan.

“There has been no development in South Sudan unlike the North even after the signing of the CPA. Let us vote for separation to initiate our own development”, said Prof Wanji.

He urged the South Sudanese to vote for separation of the semi-autonomous region in the January vote.

“Vote for the freedom of South Sudan through separation if you want to be first class citizens in your own country. South Sudanese will never be free from the Arab discrimination if we fail to vote for the independence of the newest nation in Africa”, said Prof Wanji.

He urged South Sudanese to stay away from violence during the registration and campaign period as well as on the actual voting day.

He urged local leaders to enlighten the residents on the registration and voting process in order to ensure the success of the exercise.

Prof Wanji at the same time called for tolerance of those with opposing views, saying it was their democratic right.

Members of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly are on recess following a decree allowing them to visit their home constituencies to spearhead advocacy campaigns for the referendum.