Anyuaks to return to Akobo and Pochalla from Khartoum

April 12, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Over 120 people will leave for Pochalla County of Eastern Jounglei State as part of voluntary return policy carried out by the Government of South Sudan, the Government of National Unity and UN agencies.

 Earlier this year about 1500 Anyuak registered their names to be repatriated to Pochalla and Akobo counties of Jounglei state.

So many Anyuaks are planning to go to Akobo for census. Anyuak enumerators have managed to go to the area.  At Bor, Malakal, Khtartoum and Renk many Akobo Anyuak are gearing up to reach Akobo for census.

The 120 people of Pochalla were expected to be transported by air from Khartoum to Pochalla. But the journey has repeatedly been postponed for more than three times in one week. There are many Anyuak people in Khartoum. Some of them are unwilling to return back fearing lack of basic services. In addition, they fear that their children will not get good education there as the region is struggling with its educational system.

As census date approaches in Sudan, most southern Sudan living in the North are getting prepared to go back to their places of origin to be counted. This will encourage the Anyuak to go for counting as well.

The Sudan’s fifth National census is due to start next Tuesday 15th of April all over Sudan despite lack of roads in most parts of Southern Sudan. Millions of census  questionnaires have been distributed around the country including the troubled region of Darfur.

Last Sunday Anyuak Radio Online urged the Anyuaks living in Khartoum and Juba and other parts of Sudan to go to Pochalla and Akobo for census. 

(Anyuak Media)