The upcoming referendum and the Christmas event are intimately related.
This is the view two Rumbek citizens shared with Good News Radio.Christina Ayen Machut and Emmanuel Ngot Mou said the planned vote for unity or separation for the people of Southern Sudan was expected to achieve the freedom Jesus brought about through his coming.
Ms Ayen said that she expected the referendum to bring freedom to all people of Southern Sudan just as the birth of Jesus became a source of freedom for all humanity.
She added that the referendum was a gift from Jesus who wanted the happiness and fulfilment of all peoples.
Ms Ayen observed that war left many people unhappy, including orphans, widows and the disabled.
She said she hoped the results of the referendum would bring about happiness to every Southern Sudanese “forever and ever”.
Emmanuel Ngot explained that the referendum would lead to a rebirth of the people of Southern Sudan just as the birth of Jesus Christ brought new life to all humanity.
Mr. Ngot appealed to registered voters who may have moved away from their registration centres to return in good time to be able to vote.
He also called on the different communities in Southern Sudan to maintain peace and calm for the referendum to take place as scheduled.
Various leaders in Southern Sudan have encouraged voters to cast their ballots in favour of separation explaining that having an independent nation of Southern Sudan is the most favourable way of ending the North-South conflict.