January 4, 2011 (RII-YUBU) - The Governor of Western Equatoria state Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro who was on referendum campaign in all the counties , payams and bomas of the state said, “Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) are traitors for freedom of Southern Sudan.”
- Governor Bakosoro addresses rally in Rii-yubu on December 27, 2010. (ST)
The governor made this remark at Ri-Yubu Payam, Tambura County on his Christmas visit to the payam.
"During the Voters registration for the Southern Sudan’s Referendum, the JWs in Western Equatoria State have refused to register," he revealed.
Bakosoro further said, that "the JWs went ahead to influence other citizens not to take part in the voter’s registration for the historic events."
The JWs vehemently denies any plot to influence others citizens to follow their religious believe "not to participate in any political issues of government."
The same scenario occurred during the April’s general elections.
"As a government, with its own constitution, and law, the Jehovah’s Witnesses churches in the state will remain suspended until consultations are made across South Sudan and the rest of the world," Bakosoro announced.
"We shall consult in America to find out which Bible are JWs are using or do they have different government?" Asked Bakosoro.
Bakosoro called upon all the Commissioners to ensure that the churches remained suspended "until accurate results are got, and decisions will be taken."
Bakosoro lamented that "The referendum is not about an individual, but as a Golden slate which was guaranteed by the 2 million lives lost in the struggle of this Nation, this will determine the future of our grand children."
In related development the Deputy Governor Sapana A.Abuyi received on Tuesday 28th December 2010 a delegation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses from Juba headed by Phillip Paulino.
Speaking to the deputy governor, Paulino stated that "it is against their religion to register or mix with politics."
He asked the deputy governor of the state government to permit the sect "resume their religious activities without precondition."
In response, the deputy governor said, "the state government is not against any church, but it is because the Jehovah’s Witnesses followers continue to preach wrong messages to the local communities of the state with regards to the forthcoming southern Sudan historic votes.”
The deputy governor, who is also the chairperson of the State Referendum Task Force, disclosed that, "the Comprehensive Peace Agreement has made it clear for the Southerners to determine their fate through ballot papers on the 9th of Jan 2011."
Furthermore the governor in one his speeches encouraged the citizens to take the referendum seriously as part of life, calling it as the "final walk to freedom, democracy and prosperity for the people of southern Sudan."
Bakosoro also enlightened the people of Ri- Yubu and entire WES to focus on improved food production to end dependency on Food Aid.
The Catholic Bishop of Tambura Yambio –Diocese, Edwardo Hiboro Kusala amongst the sons of greater Tambura who presided over the holy family mass in Rii-Yubu acknowledged the achievements of the current government.
Addressing the congregation at Ri-Yubu Parish, Hiboro hailed Bakosoro’s government to influence most sons and daughters of the state “to defect back to SPLM,” which he termed as a “achievement.”
Most lost sons and daughters of Western Equatoria who were in different Political parties have all joined their brothers in the South amongst retired Major General Alison Moanane Magaya from the NCP, John Masuwa, Paulino Zizi etc, Charles Kisanga of SpLM –DC and many more, five days back another senior NCP figure Angelo Beda also declared himself out of NCP.
The Bishop called upon the citizens "to join hands to support the current government for the development and effective service delivery to the people of the state".
With only four days remaining the People of Southern Sudan are due to hold a referendum on self determination on either to remain united Sudan or attain an independent South on the 9th of Jan 2011.
source: http://www.sudantribune.com/Jehovah-s-Witnesses-like-traitors,37493