wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Sudan: peace process must continue, says WCC

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - News Release
Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 03/08/2005

DEATH OF SOUTH SUDAN LEADER:
WCC SAYS PEACE PROCESS MUST CONTINUE

In a 1 August letter to Sudan's churches following the announcement of the
death of the country's first vice-president, Dr John Garang, the World
Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has
expressed his "deep sadness" and his "solidarity and support" for the
churches and people of Sudan.

Kobia also underlined his "confidence" that "Dr Garang's death should not
adversely affect the process towards economic and social reconstruction of
Southern Sudan and the need for its people to remain united, and continued
concern that the peace process in the country will continue."

"We trust that the Southern Sudanese leadership will continue to nurture
the dreams and vision of John Garang and the hope generated through the
comprehensive peace agreement. We shall stand by the [...] Sudanese
churches in their pastoral and ethical role in the implementation of the
peace process and in their ministry of reconciliation and healing of their
land," Kobia stated.

The WCC has also sent condolences to the new South Sudanese leader General
Sulva Kiir Mayardit. The WCC will be represented at Dr Garang's funeral by
Dr Agnes Abuom, WCC president for Africa, who is currently visiting Sudan
as part of an ecumenical delegation.

The WCC has a long history of supporting peace efforts in the war-torn
country, and Kobia served as a special ecumenical envoy to Sudan before
taking office as WCC general secretary.

> The full text of the letter is given below:

"It is with deep sadness that I received the news about the untimely death
of Dr John Garang. On behalf of the World Council of Churches, and on my
own behalf, I send the churches and the people of Sudan our sincere
condolences. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this mournful
period.

As the leader of Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) Dr Garang
came to embody the struggle of the people of Southern Sudan. He was
totally committed to the struggle for justice, peace and dignity for all
the people of Sudan. It was a struggle for which he dedicated his life and
for which he was prepared to die if need be. It is only a few months ago
that his dream and vision were considerably fulfilled with the signing of
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement resulting in his assuming the position
of first vice-president of Sudan and president of South Sudan in the new
political dispensation. It is most lamentable that he should die in the
manner he did, in a helicopter crash.

Dr Garang's demise is a tragedy of enormous proportions. His death is a
huge loss not only to the people of Sudan but to the people of Eastern
Africa and the continent as a whole. I got to know Dr Garang very well
during my intensive involvement in the peace negotiations for the SPLM. He
was a greatly talented intellectual, and a selfless and charismatic
leader. In John Garang Sudan has lost a valuable son and a committed
nationalist whose life was devoted to the struggle of his people. As you
try to come to terms with this huge loss please be assured of our support
and solidarity.

Our confidence is that the implications of Dr Garang's death should not
adversely affect the process towards economic and social reconstruction of
Southern Sudan and the need for its people to remain united. We pray for
God's wisdom and direction so that a peaceful transition will prevail. We
trust that the Southern Sudanese leadership will continue to nurture the
dreams and vision of John Garang and the hope generated through the
comprehensive peace agreement. We shall stand by the NSCC, SCC and the
Sudanese churches in their pastoral and ethical role in the implementation
of the peace process and in their ministry of reconciliation and healing
of their land."

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 347, 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.