Statement of the Sudanese Heads of Churches
Sudan church statement on CPA August 2008
Statement of the Sudanese Heads of Churches
At the Juba Peoples’ Forum, August 1-5, 2008
Amos 5:24 “Instead let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.”
We, Heads of Churches of the Sudan, their Representatives, General Secretaries and Women Leaders of our Churches, assembled in the Juba Peoples’ Forum meeting in Juba, Southern Sudan, on 1st to 5th August 2008 under the theme “The Road towards Self Determination and Popular Consultation-Understanding the Achievements and Challenges of the CPA”. Aware of our spiritual responsibility, affirming our lead to bring about justice, peace and reconciliation, we have spent four days of very valuable discussions, listening and in dialogue with one another, to assess the current situation in our country and plan how the Church can respond in co-operation with our communities and government.
Being grateful to the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC), the Sudan Ecumenical Forum (SEF) and all our partners who helped organise this Forum; commending the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference, Sudan Focal Point-Europe and RECONCILE staff persons who diligently and skilfully facilitated the Forum, we hereby state the following:
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
Having heard from the presentations by the facilitators and guest speakers, we comment the achievements so far, and all reaffirm our commitment to work to safeguard the CPA, which provides the basis for a just and sustainable peace in Sudan. We nevertheless recognize the existing problems like the boarder demarcation, and that many people within our communities remain poorly informed about the content of the CPA, and see an urgent need for its widespread dissemination and interpretation. We commit ourselves as Churches to:
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D([“mb”,”nu003cbr /u003enUse preaching opportunities, public occasions and the mass media tou003cbr /u003endisseminate information on the CPA;u003cbr /u003enOrganize workshops, seminars and Forums;u003cbr /u003enCo-operate with UNMIS in organizing CPA awareness programmes;u003cbr /u003enNet-work with NGOs, including use of their materials to promote theu003cbr /u003enCPA, and translation of CPA into local languagesu003cbr /u003enElections in 2009:u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enAware that the elections are one process in the right direction on theu003cbr /u003enroad to Democracy, u0026nbsp;Good governance, u0026nbsp;Self-Determination and Popularu003cbr /u003enConsultation, u0026nbsp;we congratulate the Government for passing theu003cbr /u003enElectoral Law which we need to familiarise ourselves with very soon.u003cbr /u003enWe therefore commit ourselves to start voters’ education and call uponu003cbr /u003enour partners to support this endeavour.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enThe Referendum on Self Determinationu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWe recognize the Referendum to be held in 2011 as being of keyu003cbr /u003ensignificance in the implementation of the CPA. u0026nbsp;We are aware of theu003cbr /u003envarious aspirations of our communities; we consider it important foru003cbr /u003enChurch leaders to speak with a united voice on this issue. We affirmu003cbr /u003enour commitment as spelt out in our document of 2002 u0026quot;Let my peopleu003cbr /u003enchooseu0026quot; .We also affirm the right of every human being to decide hisu003cbr /u003enor her destiny, and accordingly we support the right of selfu003cbr /u003endetermination for the people of Southern Sudan to decide their future.u003cbr /u003enu0026nbsp;We commit ourselves to raise awareness on the Referendum to ensureu003cbr /u003enthat the process is carried out with transparency, and propose thatu003cbr /u003enthe Church and community leaders be involved in ensuring suchu003cbr /u003entransparency.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enThe Popular consultationu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWe are aware that the people of Southern Kordofan and Southern Blueu003cbr /u003enNile will not participate in a Referendum to be held in 2011, butu003cbr /u003enthrough a process of Popular Consultation. We urge all Church leadersu003cbr /u003enin the respective areas to speak with one united voice on this issueu003cbr /u003e”,1]
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Use preaching opportunities, public occasions and the mass media to disseminate information on the CPA; Organize workshops, seminars and Forums; Co-operate with UNMIS in organizing CPA awareness programmes; Net-work with NGOs, including use of their materials to promote the CPA, and translation of CPA into local languages Elections in 2009:
Aware that the elections are one process in the right direction on the road to Democracy, Good governance, Self-Determination and Popular Consultation, we congratulate the Government for passing the Electoral Law which we need to familiarise ourselves with very soon. We therefore commit ourselves to start voters’ education and call upon our partners to support this endeavour.
The Referendum on Self Determination
We recognize the Referendum to be held in 2011 as being of key significance in the implementation of the CPA. We are aware of the various aspirations of our communities; we consider it important for Church leaders to speak with a united voice on this issue. We affirm our commitment as spelt out in our document of 2002 “Let my people choose” .We also affirm the right of every human being to decide his or her destiny, and accordingly we support the right of self determination for the people of Southern Sudan to decide their future. We commit ourselves to raise awareness on the Referendum to ensure that the process is carried out with transparency, and propose that the Church and community leaders be involved in ensuring such transparency.
The Popular consultation
We are aware that the people of Southern Kordofan and Southern Blue Nile will not participate in a Referendum to be held in 2011, but through a process of Popular Consultation. We urge all Church leaders in the respective areas to speak with one united voice on this issue
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D([“mb”,”nas they enlighten their people as we affirm the right of every humanu003cbr /u003enbeing to decide his or her destiny. u0026nbsp;We therefore commit ourselves tou003cbr /u003enthe enlightenment of our people to create understanding throughu003cbr /u003enorganising forums for people in Southern Blue Nile and Southernu003cbr /u003enKordofan, advocate for structures for popular consultations to be putu003cbr /u003enin place as soon as possible and to lobby the International Communityu003cbr /u003ento put pressure on the 2 partiesu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enCPA and Darfuru003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWe are concerned that the ICC indictment of President Omer Hassan Elu003cbr /u003enBashir on Genocide, War crimes and Crimes against Humanity may affectu003cbr /u003enthe implementation of the CPA and the peace process. u0026nbsp;We call upon allu003cbr /u003enconcerned to take into consideration the CPA implementation, theu003cbr /u003enplight of the people of Darfur, and to ensure that Justice and Peaceu003cbr /u003enare upheld.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enSafety and Human Securityu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWe are saddened on hearing that there are people who are still holdingu003cbr /u003enarms in the communities and using these arms for creating insecurityu003cbr /u003enincluding cattle raiding and robbery. u0026nbsp;We commit ourselves to identifyu003cbr /u003enthese groups and engage them in dialogue with the purpose of reachingu003cbr /u003enunderstanding of disarmament.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enReligionu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWe note that Religion has been a source of conflict in the Sudan, andu003cbr /u003enunderstanding the different religions in the Sudan is required. u0026nbsp;Thereu003cbr /u003enshould be more opportunities provided through Forums for addressingu003cbr /u003enReligious issues and concerns at all levels, including the Governmentu003cbr /u003enof National Unity, Government of Southern Sudan and States.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enEnvironment/ Ecologyu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWe call upon GoNU and GOSS to strictly control the disposals of theu003cbr /u003enwaste from the oil refineries leading to environmental disaster in theu003cbr /u003enoil producing states. We are concerned about the pollution in theu003cbr /u003encities, along the roads, of the rivers, and many other places. Weu003cbr /u003e”,1]
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as they enlighten their people as we affirm the right of every human being to decide his or her destiny. We therefore commit ourselves to the enlightenment of our people to create understanding through organising forums for people in Southern Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, advocate for structures for popular consultations to be put in place as soon as possible and to lobby the International Community to put pressure on the 2 parties
CPA and Darfur
We are concerned that the ICC indictment of President Omer Hassan El Bashir on Genocide, War crimes and Crimes against Humanity may affect the implementation of the CPA and the peace process. We call upon all concerned to take into consideration the CPA implementation, the plight of the people of Darfur, and to ensure that Justice and Peace are upheld.
Safety and Human Security
We are saddened on hearing that there are people who are still holding arms in the communities and using these arms for creating insecurity including cattle raiding and robbery. We commit ourselves to identify these groups and engage them in dialogue with the purpose of reaching understanding of disarmament.
Religion
We note that Religion has been a source of conflict in the Sudan, and understanding the different religions in the Sudan is required. There should be more opportunities provided through Forums for addressing Religious issues and concerns at all levels, including the Government of National Unity, Government of Southern Sudan and States.
Environment/ Ecology
We call upon GoNU and GOSS to strictly control the disposals of the waste from the oil refineries leading to environmental disaster in the oil producing states. We are concerned about the pollution in the cities, along the roads, of the rivers, and many other places. We
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D([“mb”,”ncommit ourselves to advocate and lobby for the compensation for thoseu003cbr /u003endisplaced by the oil and other commercial interests, for properu003cbr /u003enregulations on the activities of commercial and private interests,u003cbr /u003enincluding strict environmental controls, the protection of wildlifeu003cbr /u003enand education on ecological issues.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enThe position of the Churches in Northern Sudanu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWhile there may be uncertainty regarding the future politicalu003cbr /u003enarrangements, we affirm that the Church has no boundaries. u0026nbsp;We commitu003cbr /u003enourselves to the unity of the Church of Sudan whether across one oru003cbr /u003entwo countries.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enIn addition, we commit ourselves to:u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enConstructive engagement with governments/authorities, at all levels tou003cbr /u003enseek solutions to the challenges of the CPA implementation.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enHave independent church observers in parliaments, to keep the churchesu003cbr /u003eninformed and to convey their input.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enOrganise regular Prayer breakfasts with parliaments/governments/u003cbr /u003enjudiciary on all levelsu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enReorganise and strengthen the chaplaincy in the organised forcesu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enEstablish Church committees to liaise and engage in research aboutu003cbr /u003enwhat is happening on the ground and to move to conflict placesu003cbr /u003enwhenever neededu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enProvide orientation/training within the church on justice, peace andu003cbr /u003enreconciliationu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enEstablish an evaluation format to follow up forums which areu003cbr /u003enconducted, and extend these forums to different parts of countryu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enEngage in Civic education, familiarise with the major points of theu003cbr /u003enCPA, and the laws resulting out of it, most relevant to the variousu003cbr /u003enconstituencies on the ground, and to provide workshops.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enTo strengthen communication, get better involved in documentation andu003cbr /u003enresearch, and to make best use of various media, especially in localu003cbr /u003enlanguages.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enStrengthen efforts to advocate with international bodies and nationalu003cbr /u003e”,1]
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commit ourselves to advocate and lobby for the compensation for those displaced by the oil and other commercial interests, for proper regulations on the activities of commercial and private interests, including strict environmental controls, the protection of wildlife and education on ecological issues.
The position of the Churches in Northern Sudan
While there may be uncertainty regarding the future political arrangements, we affirm that the Church has no boundaries. We commit ourselves to the unity of the Church of Sudan whether across one or two countries.
In addition, we commit ourselves to:
Constructive engagement with governments/authorities, at all levels to seek solutions to the challenges of the CPA implementation.
Have independent church observers in parliaments, to keep the churches informed and to convey their input.
Organise regular Prayer breakfasts with parliaments/governments/judiciary on all levels
Reorganise and strengthen the chaplaincy in the organised forces
Establish Church committees to liaise and engage in research about what is happening on the ground and to move to conflict places whenever needed
Provide orientation/training within the church on justice, peace and reconciliation
Establish an evaluation format to follow up forums which are conducted, and extend these forums to different parts of country
Engage in Civic education, familiarise with the major points of the CPA, and the laws resulting out of it, most relevant to the various constituencies on the ground, and to provide workshops.
To strengthen communication, get better involved in documentation and research, and to make best use of various media, especially in local languages.
Strengthen efforts to advocate with international bodies and national
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D([“mb”,”ngovernment institutions, especially on issues dealing with humanu003cbr /u003endignityu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enAs we close we hold the concerns of all our people in our hearts,u003cbr /u003enespecially those in Darfur and Abyei, and commit ourselves before Godu003cbr /u003ento prayer and act on their behalf.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enSigned on behalf of the Juba Peoples’ Forum participants:u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enBishop Daniel Adwok u0026nbsp; Sudan Catholic Churchu003cbr /u003enBishop Andrew Wawa u0026nbsp;Africa Inland Churchu003cbr /u003enFr. Bishey Al Anthony u0026nbsp; Coptic Churchu003cbr /u003enRev. Abraham Nul Yor u0026nbsp;Sudan Interior Churchu003cbr /u003enRev. Paul Bol u0026nbsp; u0026nbsp;Presbytarian Church of Sudanu003cbr /u003enRev.Tillian Komi u0026nbsp; Sudanese Church of Christu003cbr /u003enRev.Lino Minadi Nyambar u0026nbsp;Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Churchu003cbr /u003enEv. Daniel Bayima u0026nbsp; Greek Catholic Churchu003cbr /u003enRev. Enock Tombe u0026nbsp; Episcopal Church of Sudanu003cbr /u003enRev. Peter Tibi u0026nbsp; General Secretary, SCCu003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enJuba, 5th August 2008 u0026nbsp;(signed copy with SCC)u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003en–u003cbr /u003enJohn Ashworthu003cbr /u003enu003ca onclicku003d”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window