The national referendum committee organised a public hearing in Juba on Saturday aimed at raising awareness and sensitising the South Sudanese, especially those in Abyei, to the importance of the upcoming referendum in October.

In the public hearing was called “Together for Abyei Referendum”. Held at the Freedom in Juba, speakers expressed readiness and willingness for the referendum to take place as scheduled, “in a peaceful and acceptable environment for both Sudan and South Sudan”.

The co-chair of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC), Edward Lino, stressed to the audience that “the time has come for the people of Abyei to return home, register and vote”.

Lino asked the South Sudanese to unite and work for the success of the referendum and that it is held on time. “We must unite ourselves, our strengths, our directions and all we can muster,” he said. Lino also thanked African countries, USA, and Norway, among others for their support.

Joseph Madak Both Wuol, Director General of the Policy, Research and Monitoring Office at South Sudan’s presidency, also attended the hearing. He thanked the organising committee and ensured that, together with his team, he will provide all support in his capacity for the referendum committee.

Wuol disclosed that although the President is “very concerned” about the Abyei referendum, he attended the hearing on his own behalf, and not of the President's.

A representative of the US ambassador to South Sudan, said the USA has been concerned about the Abyei issue since 2004 and is ready to see a peaceful referendum take place in the region, in line with the decision of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in September 2012.

"We are ready to assist a peaceful and a legitimate Abyei referendum. Since 2004 the United States government has invested over $12 million in Abyei through conflict-mitigation programming", said the representative, adding that resolving the final status of Abyei is important for the stability of the border areas.

The representative of the Civil Society Alliance, Deng Athuai Mawiir, affirmed they stand behind a referendum held on time: "What I want to tell the international community is that Abyei belongs to Dinka Ngok. Even without voting, they have a right to take it. If you consider their culture, their border, and their language, this people belong to South Sudan", said Mawaiir.

Returnees

The population of Abyei, of whom 16,000 who have displaced after renewed violence triggered by the killing of the Paramount Chief in May 201, are reportedly returning to their villages.

The most recent survey by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows that 16,080 people are currently living in surrounding villages. However, the ongoing violence and lack of seeds and tools for cultivation are slowing the return of the displaced.

Some 85 per cent of households said they are still missing family members and six villages, from a total of 66, were found to be empty.