wfn.org | ACNS3342 Worldwide Churches call for inclusiveness in Sudan

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3342     |     SUDAN     |     11 MARCH 2003

Worldwide Churches call for inclusiveness in Sudan Peace Talks

[Sudan Ecumenical Forum] "The war in Sudan must stop now - our people have
died enough," said Sudanese Bishop Paride Taban in an address to Ambassador
Jesse Duarte of the South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bishop Taban
went on to stress the urgent need to conclude nearly 20 years of civil war
in Sudan with a just and sustainable peace agreement for the entire country.

Bishop Taban spoke at the Sudan Ecumenical Forum, 24-26 February, near
Pretoria in South Africa. The meeting brought together more than 60 senior
representatives of the churches in the Sudan and their international church
partners. The participants affirmed their support to the ongoing peace
process in Sudan and acknowledged the significant progress made in the talks
between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

"We welcome the framework agreement and in particular the incorporation of
the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan. We strongly
commend the cessation of hostilities achieved in most parts of the South and
urge that it be fully respected and continued while the parties strive to
achieve a successful conclusion to the peace talks," states a communiqui
adopted at the end of the meeting. The paper stresses the need for a peace
agreement that covers the entire Sudan including the so-called contested
areas of Nuba Mountains, Abyei and Funj.

The communiqui draws attention to some of the obstacles for a lasting
settlement to the war. In particular, the delegates were troubled by recent
violations of the cessation of hostilities otherwise in place since October
2002. Drawing on information from parishes all over Sudan, the delegates
warned of accelerated mobilisation and forced recruitment by the warring
parties.

The church leaders committed themselves to continue actively supporting the
peace process and recommended that wider sections of Sudanese society be
given opportunities to influence the peace talks and take part in the
formulation of an inclusive vision for a post-conflict Sudan.

The participants also expressed an urgent need for international guarantees
and monitoring mechanisms for a future peace agreement and the existing
agreements on the cessation of hostilities, unimpeded humanitarian access to
all areas, the protection of civilians, and the Nuba Mountains Ceasefire
agreement.

The Sudan Ecumenical Forum was hosted by the South African churches and the
participants were inspired by the tremendous efforts dedicated to
reconciliation and to the building of a new South Africa in the
post-conflict situation. This experience highlighted the essential role of
united ecumenical action and co-operation with other faith groups in
transforming conflict-ridden societies.

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