For tens of thousands of southern Sudanese living in the North, the historicÌýreferendumÌýon whether the South should become independent has meant a long journey home to vote. ÌýIn this photo essay, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees captures the hopes and the human drama of people who have waited long and traveled far to shape the destiny of Africa's largest country — and with it their own futures.

Ìý

Ìý

– Photos by A. Coseac at