Unity State residents in support of separation in January’s referendum. [©Gurtong]
By Luk Riek Nyak
BENTIU, 11 June 2010 (Gurtong) – The demonstration that was organised by the SPLM Youth League kicked off at Naivasha Square in the state capital Bentiu.
The demonstrators chanted separation slogans which included: Yes For Separation, Don’t Vote to Be a Second Class Citizen in Your Own Country, Separation Is The Only Way For Freedom.
The Unity State Governor Brigadier General Taban Deng Gai called upon South Sudanese to vote for separation if they waned to break off the chain of marginalisation.
“If we vote in support of the unity of Sudan which was not implemented for many years then we will remain second class citizens forever in our own land”, he said.
He cautioned that unity of the Sudan is a sensitive issue that needed careful handling, saying the separation or unity impasse might bring another civil war in Sudan.
“The unity of Sudan has never been made attractive and the only way is for South Sudanese to stand together for separation of our country”, he said.
He urged all South Sudanese to register in their numbers in July so as to rightfully exercise their democratic right to determine their future.
He also warned that the forces trying to destroy the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) will be met with all the power of SPLA.
“Militia leaders like George Athor in Bor and James Gatluak Gai in Unity State who are being used as enemies of peace are just wasting their time and will not tolerated to defeat SPLA at all costs”, said Gai.
The State Chairperson of the SPLM Women’s League Innocent Nyaruach Latjor urged all South Sudanese to be wary of people out to mislead them into voting for unity of the Sudan.