The first group of over 200 citizens returned from Northern Sudan to Eastern Equatoria, their home land.
Jubilant Torit residents received the returnees on Tuesday evening at the check point about five kilometres from the town to express gratitude for their positive response to come home before the country votes in the referendum for self-determination, Emmanuel Radio reported.Governor Louis Lobong Lojore told the returnees at Torit Technical School that they should feel at home, join the rest of their relatives and work for the development of the state.
Mr. Lobong urged the newcomers to register for the referendum to be able to participate in determining the destiny of the region.
State ministers, Members of Parliament, Torit County Commissioner and other officials were among the dignitaries who received the returnees at Torit Technical School.
Natire Anne Grace Lotiman, a Member of the National Assembly who accompanied the returnees from Khartoum, said more Eastern Equatorians were on their way back home.
Ms. Natire said that the first group was transported by plane and it included students, pregnant women, elderly and disabled persons.
She added that the second group was already in Juba while thousands of others were travelling by barge.