The announcement of independent candidate Colonel Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro as winner of the hotly contested gubernatorial race in Western Equatoria State was greeted with a mixture of joy and anxiety in the capital Yambio.

Market vendors closed down their stalls, some in fear of the increased military presence in town due to tension over the vote, and others in joy over the election results.

Twenty-one-year-old market vendor Paul Richard Gemenze said he was taken by surprise when most of his colleagues began closing down their stalls, as he had heard many false rumours that the results had been released. "But this (result) is from NEC (National Elections Commission) ... tonight I will be in peace."

The increased number of soldiers on the streets had caused some Yambio residents to flee the area before the result was announced by the NEC in Khartoum on 26 April. "The presence of soldiers ... has scared us. As a result, we are sleeping in the bush," said Gabriel Henry Bnaba.

Thirty minutes after the result was announced, heavy rain fell for about 20 to 30 minutes, ending as abruptly as it had started. For many people, the downpour was a sign of God's blessing and approval of the election outcome.

After the heavy rainfall, the streets of Yambio filled with supporters of Col. Bakosoro, including children running and singing in Arabic, "Baba ja, o'wuo, baba ja (Father has come)."

In other areas, soldiers joined youths in drinking spots, where they poured beer on the streets and danced in praise of the new governor.

At Col. Bakosoro's home in central Yambio, supporters lined up to congratulate him. Speaking to the crowd in the local dialect, Zande, the incoming governor thanked them for their encouragement.

According to the 26 April NEC announcement, Col. Bakosoro garnered 78,563 votes, while his Sudan People's

Liberation Movement rival and incumbent governor, Jemma Nunu Kumba, received 73,057 votes.

Col. Bakosoro became the only independent candidate to win a governorship in Southern Sudan.