Sudan Season of Prayer
By Episcopal News Service
Sudan is Africa’s largest country by area.
It is the tenth-largest country in the world.
Bordered by Egypt, the Red Sea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Central African Republic, Chad, and Libya.
The Nile River divides the country east and west.
Touching nine other countries, it is central to the African and Arab worlds.
Many expressions of African, Muslim and Christian faith traditions are found here.
In the recent past, the north and south were governed separately under the British.
Arab north and African south were unified in 1954 at the end of British rule.
Civil wars lasting about 40 years ended in 2005 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
CPA gave the south political autonomy for six years, to be followed in 2011 by a referendum on secession.
Rich in oil, Sudan’s economy is among the fastest-growing in the world.
The People’s Republic of China and Japan are main export partners.
Sudan’s single political party has supported the use of Arab militias in the ongoing genocide in Darfur, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
Sudanese President Omar Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for his government’s role in the ethnic killings in Darfur. He has not faced arrest or trial .
Sudan has been the subject of sanctions due to alleged ties to Egyptian Islamic Jihad and al-Qaeda.
About 17 percent of Sudanese live on less than $1.25 U.S. per day
If the referendum vote is conducted fairly, most believe that the south will secede
Issues standing in the way of peace:
- Transparent and just revenue sharing from oil
- Definition of borders
- Usage rights of the Nile
- Repayment of debt to the world bank
- Recognition of religious and civil rights for all Sudanese
- Full cessation of violence in Darfur
President Obama : “Sudan is a priority for this Administration, particularly at a time when it cries out for peace and justice.”
There has been little sustained diplomatic or political leadership from this Administration.
New energy and leadership in diplomatic efforts are needed as the referendum approaches.
Without it, a resumption of violence will likely follow the referendum.
Peace in Sudan is a key strategic and humanitarian concern of the U.S.
It must become a foreign policy priority.
The Episcopal Church is based in the southern city of Juba. It claims 4 million members and has been a long-standing and outspoken voice for peace.
The Episcopal Church is neither pro- nor anti-secession, but rather pro peace.
Southern secession will leave Episcopalians in the north in need of protection.
Rights of Muslims and other minority religions in the largely Christian south would need protection as well.
The Episcopal Church seeks peace and justice for all people of Sudan.
Three things you can do:
- Pray — for peace in Sudan
- Study — go to www.afrecs.org to learn more
- Act — contact your congressional representatives today and urge them to support a stronger diplomatic effort to ensure peace in Sudan.
If you do not live in the U.S., ask your government to support strong measures for peace.
On the Net: //www.episcopalchurch.org/Sudan/facts.html