Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan
P.O. Box 604, Khartoum, Sudan
E-mail: ecsprovince@hotmail.com
INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT SUDAN PEACE
Sudanese Church leaders have decried the slow implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in January 2005. Grave concern has been expressed at the prevalence of violent conflicts and ethnic clashes in many parts of Southern Sudan, and at the lack of development and services to the people.
More than eighteen months after peace was signed, critical elements of the agreement have yet to be implemented. Among these are the determining of North / South boundaries and the boundary to the disputed area of Abyei, and the repealing of important laws affecting human rights which are contrary to the peace agreement. Speaking after a meeting of Sudanese church leaders in Nairobi, Bishop Daniel Deng, Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, warned that a failure to implement the agreement could endanger the peace.
“International involvement is needed to see that peace is implemented,” warned Bishop Daniel Deng. “We are very concerned at the delay in implementing the Abyei Commission report. We appeal to the international community to see that the issue of borders is settled very soon. This is urgent for safeguarding the CPA.”
Church leaders have pledged themselves to support the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan in implementing the CPA and in assisting with the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“We have called upon the Governments and the international community to expedite their return,” explained Bishop Daniel Deng. “As churches we are ready to work with international organizations to open the way. Urgent needs include shelter, water, and schools for those arriving back in their home areas. This process needs to begin straight away if the referendum on Southern Sudan provided by the CPA is to have any meaning.”
Church leaders also expressed concern at the escalation of fighting in Darfur, calling on the Government of Sudan and other stakeholders to listen to the people of Darfur, to disarm the Janjaweed and to accept the UN Peace-keeping force to Darfur.
“Peace in Darfur is essential for the stability of the whole country,” warned Bishop Daniel Deng. “We ask all our international friends to help to achieve a genuine peace in Darfur.”
The meeting of Sudanese church leaders was hosted by the All Africa Conference of Churches in Nairobi from 17th-19th August 2006 at the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Ecumenical Centre. The leaders’ statement was signed by Chairmen of the Sudan Council of Churches and the New Sudan Council of Churches and by leaders of 10 churches in Sudan including the Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Coptic Orthodox churches.
For further information, please contact the ECS Justice Peace and Reconciliation Commission Tel +249 9122 99275 / +249 183 564722.
22nd August 2006