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January 10, 2011

The Arab government prosecuted a vicious war against southerners, who have been chafing for their own separate state even before Sudan’s independence in 1956. The government forces and their proxy militias burned down villages, slaughtered civilians and even kidnapped southern children and sold them to slave  traders <http://www.sudanupdate.org/REPORTS/Slavery/slave.htm>  for a life of involuntary servitude in the north. More than two million people were killed and many of the tactics used to suppress the insurrection in the south would be repeated in Darfur, in Sudan’s west.  

Voters on Sunday spoke of this legacy, and the poverty that has accompanied it. That was in evidence all around. Most polling places were shoddily built schools or government offices with bald concrete floors, no lights, crumbly walls and rusted metal roofs. If southern Sudan becomes independent, it will be one of the poorest countries on earth.        

“But better to be free,” said Simon Matiek, a student.
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Election officials said the turnout was enormous. Many voters had been standing in place since 2 a.m., even though the polls did not open until 8.        
“Today will go down in history,” said William Lukudu, who arrived before dawn decked out in a natty gray suit, bright green shirt and purple tie. “I didn’t want to be left out.
Suits, dresses, high heels, plastic pearls  —  voters were dressed in their Sunday best. ”        

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/world/africa/10sudan.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha22
 JEFFREY GETTLEMAN NY Times
Published: January 9, 2011
      
       
 
 
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