wfn.org | AACC - Sudan Ecumenical Forum (SEF) PRESS RELEASE

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

PRESS RELEASE

DAY 1

Over 100 participants from across Africa, Europe and North America have met 
to start the Annual Assembly on the Sudan Ecumenical Forum at the Jumuia 
Conference centre in Limuru, Kenya.

Under the theme of  "A Just Peace for the Sudan? The mission and witness of 
the church" participants had come together to celebrate ten years of 
international ecumenical advocacy for peace and justice in Sudan and to 
prepare for the new Post war in Sudan era expected to start after 
comprehensive peace agreement is signed soon.

In his opening remarks, the chairperson of the Sudan Ecumenical Forum, 
Bishop Kevin Dowling of South Africa reminded the assembly of the 
successful international lobbying work its different members had conducted 
over the past decade, work which had helped bring an end to the 
indiscriminate bombing of villages in southern Sudan and to expose the 
scandals of the scorched earth campaigns conducted to clear vast tracts of 
land to allow for unhindered access to oil resources.  This work led to 
several international oil companies halting their exploration and 
exploitation work in the conflict areas.

Looking forward to the future following the agreements signed in Naivasha 
on 6 June, Bishop Dowling spoke of the challenges the Sudanese churches and 
their African and international partners face in rebuilding a devastated 
land and wounded people.  He was supported by Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala the 
General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches who gave the 
keynote address.  Rev Dandala challenged the churches of Africa to 
demonstrate greater solidarity with the suffering of the people of 
Sudan.	He reminded the delegates of the dangers and pitfalls of the road 
ahead adding, "It is our constant prayer that this may be the definitive 
moment in which the tool of war will be transformed into ploughshares and 
that in that great land of Sudan where people once lived in terror, there 
may be no more war but enduring abundance of peace and joy."

For further information contact

Mitch Odera
All Africa Conference of Churches
Communication and Advocacy Desk
P. O. Box 14205
00800 Westlands
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 254 - 020 - 4441483 / 4441338/9
Fax: 254 - 020 - 4443241, 4445835
E-mail: infodesk@aacc-ceta.org
Website: www.aacc-ceta.org