Press Releases06 Feb 09

Primates' Meeting Statement on Sudan

Statement of Concern about the Sudan Situation by the Primates and Moderators of the Anglican Communion at their meeting in Alexandria, February 2009

'Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.' (Romans 12.12)

As Primates and Moderators of the Anglican Communion, meeting in Alexandria, Egypt on 4th February, 2009, we have been deeply concerned to hear of major obstacles to peace in the Sudan which threaten to undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace and development in the country.  

We are concerned at non-implementation of substantial elements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended 21 years of conflict in Southern Sudan and is pre-requisite for achieving peace in the country as a whole and in Darfur in particular. We are alarmed at the brutal attacks and killings taking place in Southern Sudan and the serious violence which continues to be experienced in Darfur.

We are grieved at the continued suffering of the people of Darfur. We call for an immediate end to aerial bombardment and attacks on civilians and for the parties urgently to work for a negotiated settlement. We call for intensified international efforts to achieve peace and respond to the enormous humanitarian needs.

We consider the atrocities committed by the self-styled Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) during recent weeks are an affront to humanity created in the image of God. Attacks have included killings, child abductions, executions by amputation and decapitation and other unspeakable crimes; and have resulted in new internal displacement affecting more than 30,000 people. Whole communities have been seriously affected in Ezo, Ibba and Yambio, Maridi, Mundri and Lui with reports of violence also spreading to Yei, Lainya, Kajo Keji and Torit.

We appeal for:

* Urgent protection and assistance for the communities affected;
* A comprehensive strategy to bring an end to LRA attacks and achieve reconciliation with justice.

We call upon all governments and the international community not to abandon the people of Sudan at this time of danger and uncertainty and to renew pressure and support for the full implementation of the CPA, in particular for long overdue implementation of its provisions on:

North-South borders; the contested town of Abyei; wealth-sharing, comprehensive disarmament and the process towards democratic elections.

We appeal to all parties to work to uphold this agreement which is essential to the future peace and stability of the country and the region.

We call on our Churches to deepen their solidarity with the people of Sudan by praying with and for the people of Sudan, supporting humanitarian responses and urging our governments to address the pressing needs of the country. We invite the whole Anglican Communion to support opportunities for theological education for the Church in the Sudan. We commit ourselves to rejoice with our Sudanese brothers and sisters in hope, to continue to walk alongside them in tribulation; and to be constant in prayer so that God may bring lasting peace to Sudan.

ENDS

Issued by the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS)