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].