Jenn Warren

Photography: USAID: South Sudan's Referendum

The Referendum for self-determination in South Sudan was a historic and once in a lifetime opportunity for the people in South Sudan to choose whether to remain a part of the Republic of Sudan, or to separate and form their own nation. The people of South Sudan suffered from war and slavery for over 55 years, and after months of delay and concern that the Referendum would not happen on time, if at all, voter registration finally began on November 15, 2010. On 9 July 2011, the majority chose secession - making South Sudan the 54th African state and newest nation in the world. 

  • Nuer tribal dancers celebrate the launch of Voter Registration for the January 9th Referendum, on 15 November 2010 at the John Garang Memorial site in Juba, South Sudan. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
  • 2.	Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) Military Police guard the John Garang Memorial Site after the arrival of President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the first day of voter registration, November 15, 2010, for South Sudan's historic referendum. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
  • 3.	Women register to vote at the Sik Hadit Market Referendum Centre in Aweil town. Despite early concerns that women were not well-represented, they came out to register in large numbers after the first few days of registration and became the majority of registered voters. On November 23, over 151,000 men and women had registered to vote in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
  • 4.	A child runs to attend classes at the Ariathdit Primary School, also a Referendum Centre in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. Women register to vote at the Sik Hadit Market Referendum Centre in Aweil town. Despite early concerns that women were not well-represented, they came out to register in large numbers after the first few days of registration and became the majority of registered voters. On November 23, over 151,000 men and women had registered to vote in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
  • 5.	At the Jur River East Bank Referendum Centre on the outskirts of Wau, the queues are so long that Registration Officials must organize men and women into separate lines. On November 23, 91,000 people in Western Bahr el Ghazal had already registered to vote, and Referendum Officials expect over 200,000 by the end of the registration period on December 8. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
  • 6.	South Sudan Referendum Bureau Registration Chairman oversees the voter registration process at the Tharawa Referendum Centre in Malakal, Upper Nile State. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
  • 7.	The countdown to the referendum has begun. After decades of civil war, the majority of South Sudanese people are expected to vote for independence, which would mark the 54th African nation. Here, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) register to vote at the BILPAM army headquarters in Juba.
  • 9.	South Sudan Referendum Bureau Registration Officials prepare a woman's voter registration card at the Huang Jooang Referendum Centre in Kuajok, Warrap State. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
  • 10.	Ballot symbols on display at a referendum centre in Bor, Jonglei State. The symbols were released during the first week of voter registration, and many referendum centres displayed the symbols prominently, while also demonstrating to people what the symbols mean. Even though everyone has the right to make their choice privately, many South Sudanese people are quite vocal that they will vote for separation in the Referendum. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
  • 11.	Everyone who registers to vote is required to dip their finger in indelible ink, signifying that they have registered and received their registration card, so they cannot register a second time. Here, people register to vote at Juba University on the first day of Voter Registration, 15 November 2010. The Referendum is an opportunity for the South Sudanese people to cast their vote for self-determination, and either stay united with the Republic of Sudan or secede and form their own state. After independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African nation.
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