WCC Executive Committee, Geneva, 17-20 February, 2004

In January/February 2001, the Central Committee of the World Council of
Churches adopted a major statement on the situation of the conflict in Sudan in
which it inter-alia appealed to member churches of the Council to intensify their
efforts to encourage and support the joint peace initiative of the Sudan Council
of Churches and the New Sudan Council of Churches. It also reiterated its conviction
that lasting peace in Sudan must be negotiated with the support of partner
states in the region through the IGAD Peace Process and the Declaration of
Principles enunciated there-under.

The Executive Committee meeting in Geneva in February 2004, welcomed the
progress made by the Peace Process in Sudan and appreciated the work done by
the Sudan Ecumenical Forum in support thereof. It however noted with concern
that some intricate issues like sharing of political power, integration of the armed
forces of the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement,
and application of Shariah law, given the provisions of the Machakos Protocol,
still need to be addressed. Also, the status of the so-called "marginalized areas" -
the Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile, and Abyei - need to be resolved soon
to prevent the situation from becoming an obstacle in search of just and lasting
peace. The recent reports of international agencies not being able to deliver muchneeded
aid and assistance to the people of Darfur are greatly disturbing. The situation
in this area is troubling and explosive. There is a risk that if the fighting
continues between the government of Sudan and the two rebel groups, the whole
peace process may be jeopardized.

The Executive Committee acknowledges the excellent contribution of IGAD,
under the leadership of the Kenyan mediator, Lt Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo, and
the ‘troika' countries of the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway in
their efforts to bring an end to Sudan's twenty years of civil war. The Committee
is encouraged by the success of the IGAD Peace Process as a regional initiative of
groundbreaking magnitude. It is a sign of hope for Africa that given the political
will and determination, the people of the region can resolve their disputes and
conflicts.

The Executive Committee

reiterates the WCC's expression of solidarity and continuing prayers for the people
and churches in Sudan as they intensify efforts towards a comprehensive and
just peace for all the people of Sudan;

encourages the churches in Sudan to continue to pursue their efforts for ‘southsouth'
and ‘south-north' dialogue to enhance the process of healing and reconciliation
in the country as a whole;

urges the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to
bring the peace process as soon as possible to a final conclusion, in order for the
reconstruction of the country to begin;

calls upon the WCC to continue to monitor developments through the Sudan
Ecumenical Forum particularly, in respect of the on-going conflict in the western
region of Darfur that has resulted in an alarming deterioration in the humanitarian
and human rights situation and threatens to unravel the gains made in the
peace process; and in respect of disarmament, demobilization and the threat of
small arms and light weapons that pose a major challenge to a sustainable peace
in Sudan;

calls to the attention of member churches and related agencies the need to prepare
for large-scale reconstruction and rehabilitation tasks and the humanitarian
needs in the post-conflict period and urges them to respond generously through
the Action of Churches Together.