Interim referendum results have brought joy, says CMS mission partner

An emphatic 99 per cent of Southern Sudanese have voted for South Sudan to become an independent country from July this year, according to interim referendum results announced on Sunday.

From Trisha Wick, CMS mission partner in Sudan:

"Greetings. We are very happy here. Preliminary results of Sudan Referendum came out today with 99 per cent of Southerners in South Sudan turning out to vote and 99.57 per cent voting for separation from North. In overseas countries (eight) there was 97 per cent turnout of voters with 99 per cent voting for separation. In North Sudan 58 per cent voted for separation.

Related links
Sudan Tribune story on interim results
More CMS resources on Sudan "Now is time for appeals and final official result is due on 7 Feb, if no appeals, or on 14 Feb if appeals need to be heard. New State comes into being on 9 July. Much hard work ahead so keep praying. Now going off to party."

CMS continued to urge people to pray as the vote count is finalised and the likely process to create a new state continues.

There are many issues still to be addressed, not least ongoing problems in Darfur and the contested Abyei and Nuba Mountains regions on the North-South border.

Please continue to pray:

• Give thanks for the successful referendum in Sudan. The exercise, which finished on Saturday 15 January, has been peaceful and well organised. International observers, the interim government of Southern Sudan and the National Congress party in Northern Sudan all testify to a fair and free referendum. Give thanks for the interim results announced on 30 January; the final result will be announced on 14 February.
• Remember the ongoing issues like: the referendum in Abyei and consultations for Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile areas which are still to be held. There are intergovernmental discussions to be held on the sharing of the oil, currency, border demarcation and many other issues.
  
• For peace to prevail – whatever the outcome of the referendum, during this interim period that the decision of the people is accepted and peace continue.
• Special prayers for the Church in Northern Sudan: Pray that the global Church will stand united in support of our brothers and sisters who daily witness to faith in Jesus Christ whilst suffering to do so. If this does not happen then Christianity in northern Sudan has the most uncertain future.
• Pray for the many southerners who have returned from the North to Southern Sudan, for their re-settlement, for the resources needed.

Published: 13:53 01 February 2011  |  3084 views
Last updated: 01 February 2011
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