Document
Letter to H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, 24 January,
2005
(A similar letter was also sent to H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of
Kenya; H.E. Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan;
H.E. Lt Gen. Lazarus Sumbeiyo (Rtd), Special Envoy for Sudan and Chairman of
IGAD Sudan Peace Process; and H.E. John Garang, Commander-in-Chief of SPLA
and Chairman of SPLM)
Your Excellency,
I bring you greetings from the entire fellowship of churches around the globe,
united under the leadership of the World Council of Churches. We are greatly
encouraged by the exemplary efforts of your government and yourself as the Chair
of IGAD to bring lasting peace to the Horn of Africa. It is our prayer that the
facilitation you have provided in the ongoing peace talks will continue to bear
fruit and relieve the pain and suffering of the people of Sudan.
As Your Excellency may be aware, the churches, too, have been involved through
the work of the WCC in the ongoing peace processes that guarantee stability in
the region.
The Agreement signed on 9 January, 2005, brings new life and hope to the
entire region of Eastern Africa. The World Council of Churches shares the joy of
the people of Sudan on this happy and momentous occasion of the signing of the
historic Peace Agreement between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's
Liberation Army/Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SLPA/M). This is indeed
a great milestone towards the realization of the long-awaited period of tranquillity
in a land of plenty.
We at the World Council of Churches will continue to be in solidarity with
you and others of good will in the mission of alleviating human suffering and
restoring human dignity through rebuilding and sustenance of a peaceful Sudan.
The World Council of Churches and the ecumenical family will continue to support
all efforts directed to help consolidate the gains made in the Agreement.
The post-conflict situation in Sudan, however, requires great care especially
with respect to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The humanitarian disaster and
gross human rights violations in Darfur call for sincerity of approach by all parties
concerned. I trust that you will continue to use your good offices to facilitate
the efforts towards ending the atrocities in Darfur.
We also remain concerned by the situation in the Northern Uganda, as a result
of the activities of the Lord's Resistance Army. We hope the efforts of Your
Excellency's government will soon result in restoring peace to this troubled region.
The World Council of Churches is willing to provide whatever assistance it can
to help to defuse tension and conflict so that peace can be restored for the people
to lead their daily lives without fear of loss of lives and properties.
Your Excellency, we trust that the relationship between your government and
the churches in Uganda will continue to flourish for the good and well-being of
the people of Uganda. As church and state we are all called to affirm the human
rights, human dignity and democratic values of all peoples. We assure you of our
prayers, and may the blessings and peace of God embrace you and the people of
Uganda for generations to come!
I enclose the message I sent to the churches and all the people of Sudan on the
signing of the 9 January, 2005 Agreement.
Yours sincerely,
Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia
General Secretary
