wfn.org | Advocates agree Sudan crisis deserves

["Disciples Off. of Communication"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

attention
Date: May 7, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

99b-31

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- While recent events in 
Kosovo have the world's attention, advocates at a 
recent gathering urged that U.S. citizens not 
forget a similar crisis in Sudan.

	Approximately 100 persons took part in an April 
23-25 conference, here, concerning "The Crisis in 
Sudan." The consultation was sponsored by Christ 
Church (Episcopal) Cathedral, the Church 
Federation of Greater Indianapolis and the 
National Council of Churches and the Africa 
Office of the Christian Church (Disciples of 
Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Other 
sponsors included the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.), the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. and 
the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.

	The Common Global Ministries Board does not have 
any missionary personnel or official church 
partnerships within the Sudan, according to Nico 
Gourdet, Africa program associate. "We do help 
support a program in Kenya called the project for 
Christian/Muslim relations in Africa," he said. 
That program has promoted dialogue and education 
to increase knowledge between the two groups.

	More than 2 million women and children have died 
in the civil war in the Sudan, according to a 
statement by "Friends of the Sudan." The ongoing 
conflict there "constitutes a crisis that 
includes human-made famine, displacement of 
families, human rights abuses and other forms of 
suffering."

	Much of the conflict between the northern and 
southern regions, is over religion and economics, 
according to Julia Duany, Bloomington, Ind. The 
Sudan native served as facilitator for a 
discussion of the country's history. 

	The north is much better off, Duany said, citing 
the presence of more schools and hospitals and 
better roads. The south, however, has fertile 
land and vast oil reserves. These resources also 
are a point of contention in the armed conflict. 

	The question is: "Who will control the resources 
of the country?" Duany asked. "We need to help 
both sides -- especially the south -- find peace 
between themselves."

	That peace will require cooperation between the 
Muslim north and a growing Christian presence in 
the south, according to Akolda Tier. He 
represented the Sudan Council of Churches, which 
is providing emergency supplies to displaced 
families and spreading awareness of their plight 
within the country and outside the country. 

	Tier sees the SCC playing a vital role in 
rallying churches to promote peace in the 
war-torn nation. Churches must have a say in 
resolving the conflict, he said. Toward that end, 
the SCC called for a cease-fire and troop 
withdrawal from both regions and a one-year peace 
treaty during which a new constitution would be 
written.  

	Persons attending "The Crisis in Sudan -- A 
North American Dialogue" called for the global 
community to "speak loudly and act courageously 
to abhor this crisis, as it has concerning the 
Kosovo crisis."

	"The challenge we face is to make the invisible, 
visible," said Richard Parkins of Episcopal 
Migration Ministries.

	The group shared its concern for justice and the 
well being of all marginalized persons in the 
country, despite ethnic and religious background. 
The conference also included an advocacy 
component during which participants developed 
action plans to raise awareness and facilitate 
action in their home communities.

	"We encourage others, especially the U.S. 
government, to join us and our Sudanese brothers 
and sisters in their struggle for peace with 
justice," the statement concluded.

	Disciples members, in particular can "become 
more aware of this situation and advocate on 
behalf of all of the Sudan  . . .  through urging 
our government and media sources to give more 
attention to the Sudan crisis," said Gourdet.
 
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