Sudanese Voice Secession Opinions

Independent Films, Web Series, Politics

With preparation for next week’s independence referendum in Southern Sudan in their final stages, public interest and participation continues to grow, both in the north as in the south. Khartoum has witnessed a large scale dissemination of Unity Campaign posters and billboards around its main streets and bridges. Most of the signs denounce secession and highlight the benefits of unity.

Khartoum resident Al-Sadig Babiker feels that unity is better than secession. (Soundbite)

Yasser Mohammad Babiker who is a government official says in his opinion in effect the secession has already taken place: (Soundbite)

Meanwhile in Juba, public sentiment appears to be clearly leaning towards secession as the public campaign becomes more visible. Residents expressed hope for an independent south and confidence that the referendum will go their way. (Soundbites: Peter Mabior, Samuel Matiang)

The southern referendum is the culminating stage of an accord that ended 20 years of civil war between the north and south.

Transcripts / Production notes / Scripts

With preparation for next week’s independence referendum in Southern Sudan in their final stages, public interest and participation continues to grow, both in the north as in the south.

Khartoum has witnessed a large scale dissemination of Unity Campaign posters and billboards around its main streets and bridges.

Most of the signs denounce secession and highlight the benefits of unity.

People on the street expressed their rejection to secession.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Al-Sadig Babiker, Khartoum Resident:
“Unity is better than secession. Secession is like a cancer, if it infects the body it will damage all the other parts.”

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yasser Mohammad Babiker, Government Official:
“Openly, the secession has already taken place, according to the southern and northern politicians, that’s what Silva Kiir and Bagn Amum, all of them have stated. Some of southern they leave to the south, some of them are here and we welcome them. If they face hunger and diseases I hope they don’t come back. It’s better that they settle there.”

Meanwhile in Juba, public sentiment appears to be clearly leaning towards secession as the public campaign becomes more and more visible.

Residents expressed hope for an independent south and confidence that the referendum will go their way.

SOUNDBITE (English) Peter Mabior, Juba Resident:
“I am very ready to put my voice, to vote for freedom. When I vote for separation I will not be suffering again and I am sure I will win this vote to be in my own country"
SOUNDBITE (English) Samuel Matiang, Juba Resident:
“Historically it has never happened, ok? For southern Sudanese having their own need for freedom, but now that this chance has been giving to us, the time for us to express our view by voting, action speaks louder than words.”

The southern region’s referendum on independence is the culminating stage of the accord that ended 20 years of civil war between north and south Sudan.

Tags

• Sudan
• referendum
• Khartoum
• Juba

Directors:

• Tom Osborne, Muhamed Sacirbey, UNTV

Producers:

• Susan Sacirbey