Sudan Referendum Registration Hit By Aerial Offensive Fears

Registration for the January referendum started on a low note in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State capital Aweil.

A spot check by Gurtong at Sakadid registration centre in the town revealed that only 200 voters registered on the first day of the exercise.

The low turnout is worrying since Sakadid is one of the densely populated areas in the town.

The low turnout that is still evident today has been attributed to last Friday’s aerial attacks by the Sudan army in Kiir Adeem, about 80 kilometres from Gok Machar in Aweil North County.

During the attack the Sudan army’s Antonov plane lobbed several bombs that resulted into the wounding of 17 civilians, most of whom are Baggara Arab.

Four people who were seriously wounded were brought to Aweil Civil Hospital on Sunday for urgent medical treatment where they are receiving medical attention.

The rest were admitted to Gok Machar Health Centre where they are also receiving medical attention.

A South Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) military police Deng Kur told Gurtong in Aweil Town that the Antonov plane was again spotted in the area twice yesterday but did not release any bombs.

A member of the Southern Sudan Referendum Committee at Gok Machar Angelo Ker confirmed the incident and said registration has been going on from yesterday without any setbacks.