wfn.org | WCC UPDATE: WCC salutes Sudan's peace agreement, proposals

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World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

For immediate release - 18/01/2005

WCC SALUTES SUDAN'S PEACE AGREEMENT AND PROPOSES STEPS FOR RECONSTRUCTION

Calling it a "significant event in contemporary Africa," World Council of
Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia hailed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on 9 January 2005 by the Government of Sudan
and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Sudan People's Liberation Movement
(SLPA/SPLM).

In a 17 January letter to the churches and people of Sudan, Kobia also
stated that the agreement "brings a new life and a new hope to the people
of Sudan" and, hopefully, "will bring a holistic, just and durable peace".

Among a dozen measures suggested as "building blocks for a post-conflict
economic recovery and reconstruction programme", the WCC general secretary
proposed establishing "a well-equipped and robust international peacekeeping force that is able to investigate reported violations of the agreement
and oversee its implementation", as well as to "set up a strong mechanism
on the ground that can deter any violations of ceasefire".

Congratulating both signing parties, Kobia expressed WCC praise for "the
tenacity and resilience of the ordinary people of Sudan who have suffered
much and now are looking forward to durable peace and stability". He also
highlighted the contribution of Sudan's churches to the peace process, and
the "exemplary leadership" of the Sudan Council of Churches, the New Sudan
Council of Churches, and the support of the Sudan Ecumenical Forum.

Recalling that "over the years the ecumenical movement committed major
resources and remained engaged in mediation initiatives that have
contributed to the signing of the agreement", the letter states that WCC
"will continue to accompany and support the Sudanese churches as they keep
themselves involved in the implementation and monitoring of the Peace
Agreement".

The full text of the letter is available at:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/jan05sudanpeace.html

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363
media@wcc-coe.org

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.