A local leader called on all Sudanese to face the referendum in a peaceful mood and to pray for a peaceful vote in January 9, 2011 saying that nothing can be achieved without God.
Paulino Miding chairs the council of elders at the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral in Rumbek and is the Director of Forestry in the sate ministry of Agriculture. He told Good News Radio that the Catholic Church had a very important role to play in bringing peace during the referendum process.Mr. Miding discouraged people to use weapons during the referendum.
He appealed to the people to separate through the ballot box and not through the bullet.
Mr. Miding urged the southerners to vote for separation and solve their differences after getting their independence.
He said South Sudan has many resources that can be used for the good of all.
Many Southern Sudanese feel that unity has never been made attractive since the signing of the CPA between the Government of National Unity and SPLM in 2005.