Title: Advocates agree Sudan crisis deserves attention
Date: May 7, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.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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