Huge turnout marks vote despite raids in Rumbek

By David Ochami in Juba

Voters in Lakes State, South Sudan, embarked on the historic referendum vote with enthusiasm despite Friday’s tribal violence that left 11 dead and ten people injured.

"I am happy this day has come," said governor Chol Tong Mayai, who told journalists he "voted for freedom" after casting the ballot at the local town square in Rumbek.

Crowds thronged Rumbek from 4am and streamed in throughout the morning and afternoon in spite of hot temperatures in the South.

Reports indicated a peaceful ballot in Unity State where South Sudan’s Vice-President Riek Machar comes from.

Machar arrived in Juba yesterday afternoon from his home state after he voted.

Deadly clashes

On Friday, ethnic Dinka and Nuer pastoralists from Unity and Lakes states clashed following cattle raids leading to the 11 deaths. On Saturday, security officials from Unity, Lakes and Warap states met in Rumbek, Lakes’ capital, for peace talks ahead of the ballot.

The victims have been transferred to the main hospital in Rumbek.

Local referendum official Michael Mabior said yesterday that the state, which has 40 polling stations with about 300,000 registered voters, received voting material in time.

Meanwhile, a party official of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), which split from the mainstream Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) remains in police custody after he was reportedly found buying voting cards.

Internal Security minister Gier Chuang Aluong said the unnamed official was captured in Lakes’ Wulu County early last week "and we are still trying to determine his motive".