Eastern Equatoria deputy governor assured foreign traders they would be safe during the referendum and the exercise would be peaceful and transparent.
Nartisio Manir Lolukei told foreign traders that they were partners in the building of Southern Sudan.Mr. Lolukei asked traders to get their goods ready for Christmas because the government was taking care of the roads and providing security.
The deputy governor called on Southerners to get ready for the referendum noting that the exercise makes the end of the long time liberation struggle started in Eastern Equatoria.
Mr. Lolukei observed that Southerners only needed to prepare for a peaceful independent nation.
Mr. Lolukei added that citizens had the democratic privilege to vote either for separation or unity.