The referendum was exemplary because it was a success, notwithstanding all the doom-mongering. It was also a wonderful experience because it was apparent that the people of Southern Sudan were voting with tears in their eyes – after waiting for this moment for so long (more than 50 years in some cases), after having lived through civil war – and were embracing the peaceful transition with indescribable joy.
Exemplaire, parce qu’il s’est bien déroulé et qu’il a déjoué tous les scénarios catastrophes, et merveilleux parce qu’on a senti à ce moment-là que les Sud-Soudanais votaient les larmes aux yeux, ayant attendu ce moment parfois depuis plus de cinquante ans, ayant vécu la guerre civile et assumant cette transition de manière pacifique avec un bonheur indescriptible.