Completion of Polling in the Souther Sudan Referendum

Successful Completion of Polling in the Southern Sudan Referendum

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

January 17, 2011

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The completion of a peaceful, orderly Southern Sudan referendum marks a significant achievement for the Sudanese people and a historic step toward full implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The United States commends the millions of Southern Sudanese people who participated in this historic process, and applauds both northern and southern leaders for creating conditions that allowed voters to cast their ballots freely and without fear, intimidation, or coercion. The successful vote was also a credit to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau, and more than 40 countries and international organizations. We welcome the positive statements issued in recent days by international observer missions from the African Union, Arab League, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, European Union, and the Carter Center.
As we await the official results of the referendum, we reaffirm our commitment to remain a steadfast partner to both parties as they continue to work toward full implementation of the CPA and to develop their post-CPA relationship. The parties have an opportunity to forge a durable peace between the North and the South, and to build positive relationships with the international community. We hope they will seize this moment, and the United States supports their efforts to ensure a peaceful, more prosperous future for all Sudanese.

HAPPY NEW YEAR OF 2011

This blog might be a few days overdue, 18 days to be exact but none the less, Happy New Year :)

This year started with a lot of blessings for our ministry, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that support our ministry financially this past year of 2010. It was not the easiest year to survive as a non-profit, but we are glad that we serve a living God who is in charge of every aspect of our ministry including finances. It's a great relief to know that we can rely on him.

On Sunday, January 9th, We experienced one of the most important day in history here in Nashville. The hundreds of Sudanese resettled here in Nashville gathered the whole day to vote for the referendum that would make Southern Sudan it's own government. We pray that this referendum will bring stability to the region of Southern Sudan and tranquility to the Christian church in that region as it has endured so many years of persecution caused by the Muslim government in the Northern region of the country.
Today was the successful completion of the referendum votes and we'll wait to hear the results.

It was a celebration for many Sudanese from the south all over the world

They all turned out to vote for the independence of the Southern region of Sudan

The Sudanese in Nashville turned out to vote at the Lost Boys gallery in downtown Nashville