GoSS president urged Southern Sudanese to exert patience while they queue to exercise the right to vote for self determination.
Salva Kiir Mayardit voted at eight sharp at John Garang’s Mausuleum Polling Centre in Juba.Mr. Kiir urged Southerners to be patient while they wait to cast their vote in this historic moment.
Mr. Kiir asked the security forces both in the north and in the south of the country to protect voting centres and their staff and nationals and foreigners and their properties.
Mr. Kiir evoked with emotion the fallen heroes and heroines of South Sudan’s struggle, including John Garang, saying they were with the voters today.
Mr. Kiir’s vote was witnesses by the representatives of the international community, diplomatic corps stationed in Juba, UN staff and many other people.
The queue at John Garang’s polling centre at 7 AM, one hour before the vote, was already more than one kilometre long and voters waited patiently for their turn.
Almost four million people registered to vote in the referendum for self-determination for the people of South Sudan.