Southern Sudan gets ready to vote for referendum on independence

The final independence march from the local sport stadium to the John Garang memorial in the southern Sudanese capital of Juba, organised by student leaders and prominent community members. Approximately 3,000 people took part in the carnival-like celebration. Independence marches have taken place on the 9th of every month since June to encourage people to register and vote in the 9 January referendum Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

At the final independence march this month, chants of “Bye-bye jellaba [Arabs]” could be heard from the crowd Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Much of the country is in transit as southerners return from Khartoum and other areas in the north to start a new life in the south. Here, at a UNHCR transit camp on the outskirts of Juba, two coaches prepare to take around 100 southern Sudanese returnees to their home villages in Eastern Equitoria. Those without housing are provided with emergency relief by the government of Southern Sudan and can stay temporarily in churches and schools. People can stay at the camp for up to three days and are provided with blankets, shelter and basic food items Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Up to 50,000 people arrive into Juba from the north a month. Michael Ajang Ganarang, 25, travelled with his four relatives, including his mother, Danuka Achol, 47, (pictured) Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Some returnees camp out under mango trees at Juba port - some with just a few bags, others with beds and furniture Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Returnees camped out at Juba Port. The journey from Khartoum to Juba can take up to a month Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Children, who, with their families, have returned to southern Sudan from the north, play at Juba port Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Three generations of the Makula family, including Victoria, 18, and her 18-month-old daughter, Lena. They travelled for 35 days from Khartoum, arriving in Juba with just one day left to register for the referendum. The family hopes to return to their village, but it is situated within an area known to be frequented by the Lord's Resistance Army, the Ugandan rebel group now operating in Sudan Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Once home, returnees must register to vote in the referendum. At least 3.4 million Sudanese have registered to take part Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Instead of signatures or photographs, registration cards are marked with the voter’s fingerprint Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Large crowds of southern Sudanese register to vote at the John Garang memorial site in Juba on the last day before voting officially closed. Many of those registering were students who had just returned by air from Khartoum Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

The long line of south Sudanese people waiting to register to vote Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

A registration card being marked with a fingerprint Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

Illiterate voters will make their choice in the referendum by nominating one of two images - a clasped hand for unity with the north and an open hand for southern independence Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid

The Archbishop of Sudan, Daniel Deng Bul, at his private office in Juba Catherdral. The archbishop recently visited Khartoum, where he counted 50 buses, funded by the south Sudanese government, leaving for the Upper Nile region of southern Sudan. He estimated that approximately 1,800 southern returnees were being taken back to their homeland to settle and register in the referendum. "For me personally, whatever decision I make [about independence] is between me, God and my conscience," said the archbishop. "The region of Abyei is a potential flashpoint in the run up to voting, and we don't want to allow this country to go back to war... If border issues are not finalised, the issue of Abyei is not resolved, and post-referendum conditions are not agreed, there will be conflict" Photograph: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid