Jesuits Remain in Sudan during the Referendum

As the people of Sudan vote in a referendum to determine the political future of Sudan (and a possible separation of South Sudan), Jesuit Father Emmanuel Orobator, provincial of the East Africa Province, has informed all Jesuits working in the country that he wants them to remain in Sudan and carry on with their work before, during and after the referendum.

According to reports from the region, voting has been relatively peaceful as millions of people made their way to polling booths in the first ever democratic elections.

Officials from the ruling Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) say that turnout in the referendum has reached 60 percent, the percentage needed to validate the results of the vote on self-determination.

Official turnout figures and preliminary results are not expected until early February. If voters choose independence, Southern Sudan could become the continent’s newest nation on July 9, 2011. [Jesuit Curia & JRS]