Political parties hold workshop in Rumbek.

By Manyang Mayom October 29, 2009 (RUMBEK) -- Eight (8) Southern Sudan political parties took part in one day Roundtable Workshop organized by International Republican Institute (IRI) with facilitations of United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) department of Civil Affair in Rumbek. This is the ever first political meeting between eight South Sudanese political party in Lakes state since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in Kenya by two rival party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and National Congress Party (NCP). IRI program officer, Mahomed Boakai, said that his organization, is advancing freedom and democracy worldwide; our group has already advanced into 68 countries preaching in democracy. The US based nonprofit organization dedicates its effort to develop political parties, civil institutions and good governance. The SPLM, NCP, SSDF, UDF, USAP1, USAP2, SANU and UDSF were involved in the one day workshop to exchange views on upcoming general election in the country Sudan. Only SPLM-DC was no present in the conference room. In the roundtable debate, the parties identified that threat to non SPLM members and insecurity could sabotage peace in the Sudan, said a SSDF member who declined to be named. The insecurity and tribal violence create an unrest situation that could endanger the political stability he said, stressing the Southern Sudan ruling party is threading the members of other political parties in the semi-autonomous region. He further described the local media as biased. Voter registration which will take place in South Sudan on November 1, 2009, is simulating the political forces here. They parties agreed to designate their representatives at every registration centre in Lakes state. "In Southern Sudan, majorities are not educated; they don't know their age and it will be difficult to determine who 18 years old in South Sudan is?" said a participant. "Our common goal is to get freedom from Khartoum government; we the SPLM had took arm to liberate people from mistreatment and moralization and it is now the duty for South Sudanese citizens to participate in the election and later on to referendum of Southern Sudan," said a SPLM member Mr. Chol Dut Ajieng. (ST)

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