Sudanese in Kenya register for referendum

REGISTRATION is ongoing for Sudanese nationals residing in Kenya in readiness for the Southern Sudan Referendum.

The exercise organized by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC), a body independent from the governments of both Sudan and Southern Sudan started on Monday and will continue till 1 December 2010.

Full story below.

Sudanese in Kenya register for referendum
Source: KBC - Kenya Broadcasting Corporation - www.kbc.co.ke
Author: Rose Kamau
Date: Saturday, 20 November 2010

Registration is ongoing for Sudanese nationals residing in Kenya in readiness for the Southern Sudan Referendum.

The exercise organized by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC), a body independent from the governments of both Sudan and Southern Sudan started on Monday and will continue till 1 December 2010.

The organization has opened six referendum centres and two sub-centres in Dadaab, Eldoret, Kakuma, Kitale, Nairobi and Nakuru.

The SSRC Representative for Kenya, Mr. Achouth Philip Deng who is in the country encouraged eligible voters register in large numbers "to exercise their rights".

"The referendum is a determining event for the people of Southern Sudan; it is an opportunity for us to influence our future. All of the Referendum Centres in Kenya are open. The process is inclusive and progressive," said Deng.

"I believe that the Southern Sudanese population in Kenya will take advantage and come out to register this weekend. I urge all Referendum staff to double efforts to register as many Sudanese as possible, especially students, while they have the chance to be away from their classes," he added.

Deng said the organization has received assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in facilitating the exercise to ensure many Sudanese residents register and participate in the referendum.

Southern Sudan will hold a referendum on whether or not it should remain as a part of Sudan on 9 January 2011.

This is part of the 2005 Naivasha Agreement between the Khartoum central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M).

A simultaneous referendum will be held in Abyei on whether the region should become part of Southern Sudan.