Citizens from Northern Sudan living in Juba expressed mixed feeling about what they expect in terms of the security during the referendum.
SCR News spoke with Kalifah Adams Ahmed who is from North Kordofan. He has been running a grocery shop in Juba since 2009.Mr. Ahmed said through a translator that southerners were angry with the North for so long that he planed to leave the region for sometime until the referendum process is over.
Alfah Ibrahim, a trader in Hai Malakia, has been with his family and close relatives in Juba since 1978. He said both north and south Sudanese were born of one stomach which is Sudan.
Mr. Ibrahim added he does not intend to leave the region.
Addressing the press yesterday, GoSS minister for Information Barnaba Marial Benjamin reassured the northern Sudanese that they are safe in south Sudan.
Mr. Marial urged traders to keep their businesses open.
The SPLM and the NCP must still agree on the principles on protection of northerners and southerners on either side in case of secession. The rights of people must be protected and guaranteed and return would be voluntary.