2nd day of the Referendum

10 January 2011: A South Sudanese vote, assisted by a local staff, at the 2nd day of the referendum over South Sudan's independence, at El Fasher polling center, North Darfur. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].10 January 2011: A polling staff member control registration cards during the 2nd day of the referendum on South Sudan's independence, at El-Fasher polling center, North Darfur. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].10 January 2011: A staff member of the El Fasher polling center close a ballot at the end of the 2nd day of the referendum on South Sudan's independence. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Referendum

Historical moment in Sudan with the referendum on Southern Sudan's independence and the opening this morning at 8am (GMT+3) of the polling centers. Almost 4 millions South Sudaneses (including 23'000  in Darfur) are going to vote. In El Fasher, thousands of South Sudaneses have already left in the last months and went back to their homes but 548 South Sudan are registered to vote.09 January 2011: First voters at El Fasher polling center, North Darfur. Registred South Sudaneses have one week to voter for the referendum over South Sudan's independence. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Preparation for the Referendum in South Sudan

J-3 before the referendum on independence for  South Sudan. The African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) provides logistic support and particularly air support to carry polling material to the different voting centers.06 January 2011: UNAMID staff loading votation material, for the upcoming referendum on South Sudan's independence, in an UNAMID Mi-8 helicopter in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].06 January 2011: Members of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) carry polling material brought by UNAMID in El-Lait village, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].06 January 2011: Nepalese Special Operation soldiers, peacekeepers with UNAMID, provide security to UNAMID staff in the field, in El-Lait, North Darfur, during a distribution of polling material for the upcoming referendum on South Sudan's independence. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Christmas in Darfur with South Sudaneses

25 December 2010: A large number of South Sudanese Christians attend the Christmas mass at El Fasher church, North Darfur (Sudan). They fear that their life might be affected by the upcoming referendum for the independence of South Sudan and realize that it might be their last Christmas together in Darfur. In fact, a great deal already left Darfur and went back to South Sudan. Many might follow after 11 January, closing date of the referendum. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].