Lambeth - Statement of Sudanese Bishops on the situation in Sudan

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Lambeth Daily
Statement of the Sudanese Bishops to the Lambeth Conference on the 
situation in Sudan
Posted On : July 28, 2008 5:37 PM | Posted By : Webmaster
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Presented by the Most Revd Dr Daniel Deng Bul, Archbishop and Primate 
of the Sudan

Your Grace, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of 
Canterbury
Your Graces, the Archbishops of our beloved Anglican Communion,
Your Lordships, the Bishops of the Anglican Communion and the clergy,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We greet you all in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

We, the Sudanese Bishops gathering at the Lambeth Conference, would 
like, on behalf of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS) and the 
whole Sudanese people, to acknowledge and appreciate your prayers and 
support during the 21 years of war in Southern Sudan and in reaching 
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Government 
of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/ Army (SPLM/A) on 
9th January 2005. The CPA provides the basis for a just and 
sustainable peace in the Sudan. We give thanks to God for the 
agreement and express our support for all efforts to ensure its full 
and timely implementation.

After 21 years of war, in which more than 2 million people lost their 
lives and more than 4 million people have become refugees or 
internally displaced, we are greatly encouraged at the new future 
offered by the CPA. However, we remain deeply concerned that the 
conflict in Darfur, in Western Sudan, continues unabated, and at the 
localized conflict in several places which threatens stability and 
the sustainability of peace. We therefore wish to share with you the 
following concerns:

1. Situation in Darfur

Despite the Government of Sudan's official estimate of not more than 
10,000 people killed in the fighting in Darfur, the UN has estimated 
there to have been some 300,000 war-related deaths since the conflict 
escalated in 2003. Whatever the exact figures, this continuing loss 
of life is an affront to all people who value human life and to 
religious faith in the God of mercy. The finding of a political 
solution remains an urgent priority as well as the full deployment of 
an effective UN/AU joint mission. Continuing international pressure 
is needed on both the Government of Sudan and the now numerous armed 
groups to bring an end to the violence, to hold its perpetrators 
accountable, and to engage in constructive negotiations to address 
the grievances of the region.

Although Darfur is a predominantly Muslim region, the Church is 
playing a growing role in responding to the humanitarian needs and 
providing education to displaced communities as part of its practical 
witness to the Gospel. Substantial humanitarian assistance will 
continue to be needed for whole communities displaced with no early 
prospects of return.

We are concerned that the Darfur situation cannot be viewed in 
isolation. Continuing conflict in Darfur would undermine the 
prospects of peace in the South, while the going back on commitments 
made to achieve peace in the South would remove any credibility from 
the Government of Sudan in negotiations over Darfur. We therefore 
call for a whole Sudan approach, within which implementation of the 
Comprehensive Peace Agreement plays an essential part.

2. Implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)

For the opportunity for a just and sustainable peace to be realized, 
full implementation of the CPA needs to be ensured. We recognize the 
holding of the Referendum in 2011 on the future political status of 
Southern Sudan as being of key significance in its implementation. We 
affirm the right of every human being to decide his or her destiny 
and accordingly we support the right of self-determination for the 
people of Southern Sudan to decide their future, whether for unity or 
separation. We have therefore committed ourselves to raise awareness 
of the Referendum, as well as the whole CPA, to ensure that the 
process is carried out with proper transparency

While progress has been made in several significant areas, including 
the establishment of the Government of National Unity and of the 
Government of Southern Sudan to look after the affairs of the South, 
we remain concerned at the delays or refusal to implement other 
elements, such as demarcation of the North-South border. This risks 
undermining confidence between the parties or in the wider communities.

3. Destruction of Abyei

The destruction of the town of Abyei and displacement of the area's 
population of over 90,000 people in May 2008 represents the most 
serious violation of the CPA to date. As an oil-rich area on the 
border between Northern and Southern Sudan, Abyei was accorded 
special administrative status under its own Protocol within the CPA. 
The Government of Sudan failed to honour these terms, declining to 
accept the binding recommendations of the Abyei Boundaries Commission 
and delaying in providing an administration for the area. Instead, a 
build-up in troops of both parties to the CPA resulted in fighting 
and the destruction of the town and displacement of its entire 
population, for many people the third time they have been displaced 
by their own government. They are now in urgent need of assistance 
and of support for re-building Abyei and resettling there.

The non-implementation to date of the Abyei Protocol constitutes a 
serious threat to the CPA. Vigilance will be needed from the 
international community to ensure that the parties' commitments are honoured.

4. Position of the Church in Northern Sudan

Although the country's new Constitution under the CPA provides for 
freedom of religion and the protection of non-Muslims in the national 
capital, the church continues to face pressure and discrimination in 
Northern Sudan. Leverage is needed for the repealing of 
discriminatory laws, such as those which restrict access to land for 
the building of churches. Constructive dialogue between Christians 
and Muslims is needed at all levels.

We are further concerned at the church's vulnerability in the North 
in any future political dispensation. We see the need for the unity 
of the church whatever the political boundaries and for efforts to 
consolidate the position of the church through capacity building and 
developing church links both inside and outside Sudan. The early 
church in Northern Sudan1 died through its isolation from the outside 
world amid the growing influence of Islam. The church there is now 
alive again and needs sustained support to safeguard its brighter future.

5. Atrocities of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Ambororo

The Ugandan rebels known as the Lords' Resistance Army (LRA) are 
adversely affecting the states of Western Equatoria, Central 
Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria, with their forces stationed in the 
borders of Sudan with Congo and Central African Republic. Despite 
efforts to mediate between the Ugandan Government and the LRA, 
attacks continue on villages, such as the attack on Nabanga in Ibba 
Diocese on 5th June 2008 in which 500 people were internally 
displaced and left dispossessed. The LRA presence, together with that 
of armed Arab nomads known as the Ambororo, is causing fear and 
instability in the region, disrupting cultivation and schooling. 
Continued pressure is needed to bring the LRA talks to a successful 
conclusion and to end these armed attacks.

6. Return of Refugees and Internally Displaced People

The return of refugees and those internally displaced is one of the 
fruits of the CPA but presents major practical challenges. Lack of 
support for repatriation is hindering their return, as is fear of 
insecurity in their areas. The Church is assisting with the re- 
integration of those returning, co-operating with local government to 
welcome them on their arrival and helping to prepare communities for 
the diverse cultures from which people are returning, whether from 
Khartoum, East Africa or overseas. Much support will be needed, both 
in terms of relief and development, to help communities to provide 
clean water, security, health and education.

On all these issues which are key to the prospect of peace for Sudan, 
we appeal to those attending the Lambeth Conference, and the whole 
Anglican Communion, to continue to stand in solidarity with the 
Sudanese church and people. We request support in political advocacy 
to tackle the challenges before the country. We appeal for practical 
support to help respond to the many needs faced. But above all we 
request your continued prayers and fellowship to encourage and 
support the church in its mission. We believe that God has called us 
to preach the Good News in the Sudan, the land referred to in the 
Bible as the land of Cush to reach the unreached so as to fulfil His 
great commission in Matthew 28.16. Our people are hungry for 
spiritual food and seek to grow to maturity so that they may 
propagate the culture of love, peace and justice which we have lost 
during the struggle. May God bless us all in this mission.

The Most Revd Dr Daniel Deng Bul

Archbishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan and Bishop of Juba

1 Christian kingdoms were present in Northern Sudan from 6th-15th centuries