A Tale of Two Countries: A Message from AFRECS Executive Director Richard Parkins

This past week, two articles on South Sudan and Sudan came to my attention. A few days ago I encountered a brief account of the tragic circumstances facing the people of the Nuba Mountains where food is virtually non-existent. The reporter had witnessed a mother preparing a brew of leaves for her hungry child – nothing else was available. Absolutely nothing.

Just this past Sunday the Government of South Sudan featured an appeal to prospective investors in The Washington Post and possibly in other newspapers around the country. The advertisement spoke of investment possibilities in several sectors including tourism and agriculture and cited a host of opportunities awaiting the intrepid entrepreneur.

It was encouraging to read about a hoped for future of growth and development for South Sudan even if the advertisement was a bit short on mentioning challenges and barriers. It was, however, wrenching to once again have the starvation of those in the war ravaged regions portrayed in such graphic terms and to know that the combination of relentless bombing and the brutal denial of food and emergency aid still plagues a vast area of Sudan and that no abatement seems in sight.

The juxtaposition of a story predicated upon a better future for South Sudanese with one of endless devastation and suffering for thousands more in the border areas reminds us of the contradictions that confront those who care about Sudan and the challenges which lie ahead regardless of the message that one tends to.

One prays that the optimism of South Sudan’s promotional thrust will be translated into new possibilities for this new nation and its people, realizing that the road ahead is a difficult one. This optimism must be balanced with a recognition that strategic parts of Sudan have been plunged into war and risk being bypassed by the modest progress occurring to the south. Our prayers are for success on both fronts.

Churches Call for Peace

Anglican and Catholic bishops from South Sudan recently met in Yei, under the leadership of Archbishops Daniel Deng Bul and Paulino Lukudu Loro, and released a statement calling for an end to war between Sudan and South Sudan. The Archbishop of York attended the meeting, and the Archbishop of Canterbury sent a letter of support.

News from the ECS

AFRECS has received updates from Larry Duffee, TEC's missionary in Juba, and the Rev. Robert North, working in Nzara Diocese; their reports are on our blog. Both note the economic consequences of the oil shutdown and the border conflict between the two Sudans.

In politics -- the two Sudans:

War and Peace

Despite ultimatums and roadmaps for a return to peace talks, South Sudan has accused Sudan of continuing its bombing attacks on its southern neighbor this week. Sudan also offered citizenship to the Dinka Ngok of Abyei in hopes of annexing the disputed area. The two countries are not in agreement on the terms of returning to negotiations. The Enough Project has analysis of the situation between the two countries, and Andrew Natsios, former US envoy to Sudan, argues in the Washington Post that the only way to end the conflict is for the international community to provide South Sudan with antiaircraft weapons. Meanwhile, Oxfam, Christian Aid, International Rescue Committee, Refugees International and Save the Children have issued a joint warning that the two countries are now sliding from crisis into catastrophe.

The Border

South Sudan says only 40 percent of the border between it and Sudan has been agreed on; Sudan puts the figure at 80 percent. Along that disputed border, South Sudan this week withdrew its police forces from the Abyei region; Sudan says it will withdraw its troops from the area when a joint administrative body has been established.

Returnees

The IOM airlifted the first group of returnees who had been stranded in Kosti across the border from Sudan into South Sudan yesterday. Jonglei State expects to welcome 15,000 of these returnees over the next month.

In politics -- South Sudan:

Money

South Sudan is using its oil as collateral to secure missions of dollars in loans from international lenders.

PRAY: Please pray for a speedy and peaceful end to the conflict between and inside the two Sudans and for relief for all suffering from the effects of the conflicts.