WCC Executive Committee, Seoul, Korea, 24-27 August, 2004

Sudan has been plagued by war for all but a short period since its independence
in 1956, primarily due to unequal distribution of wealth and power-sharing,
between north and south, centre and periphery. It is the largest country of the
continent and shares boundaries with nine African states. Unless the government
of Sudan finds the way to peaceful co-existence between all Sudanese people and
also with its neighbours, lasting and just peace will be difficult.

The first civil war lasted for 17 years before a peace deal was brokered with the
facilitation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the All Africa Conference
of Churches (AACC) in 1972. In 1983, civil war erupted again between the government
of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M)
as a result of failure to implement the 1972 agreement. Estimates are that 2.5-3
million people have died as a result of the war and over 4 million have fled their
homes, many to neighbouring countries. Religious intolerance has made the conflict
deeper.

The conflict between the North and the South finally has the potential to end,
due to the peace framework developed by the Inter-Governmental Authority on
Development (IGAD). The signing of the Machakos Protocol in July 2002 marked
a turning point towards a just and lasting peace between the government and
SPLA/M. This protocol brought a cessation of hostilities and recognition of the
right of self-determination for Southern Sudan. It was followed by five other protocols
signed in 2003 and 2004. The agreements in the last three protocols
addressed the most contentious and difficult issues. After six years of an interim
period there will be a referendum in the South when the people will have the
right to vote on a unified Sudan or for separation. The success of the peace process
is largely due to the pressure placed on both parties by the IGAD countries under
the leadership of Kenya and the "friends of IGAD" - Norway, Italy, the United
Kingdom and the United States of America.

A Comprehensive Peace Agreement is expected to be signed shortly. This agreement
will have two basic components: a comprehensive cease-fire and modalities
for its implementation. Negotiation for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement has
already begun and both sides have expressed optimism that a final agreement will
soon be concluded.

There has been an active participation in Sudan from the WCC and member
churches for more than 20 years. The Sudan Ecumenical Forum (SEF), to facilitate
the role of the churches in peace-making, appointed Rev. Dr Samuel
Kobia Special Ecumenical Envoy for Sudan in 2002. Churches and related
agencies in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK
and the US actively accompanied the Sudanese churches throughout this difficult
period.

While the ecumenical movement was monitoring the hopeful developments in
the negotiation between the government and the SPLA/M, reports started to come
in about the serious atrocities in Darfur. UN officials have referred to the conditions
in Darfur as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. The conflict
between the rebels (the Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality
Movement) and the pro-government militia, known as the Janjaweed, has result-
ed in a campaign of terror, led by the latter, against the predominantly African
civilian population. Almost a quarter of the population of about 6 million people
have fled their homes. It is estimated that around 30,000 people have died
over the last 17 months and fears have been expressed that many more may die
over the next months unless a political solution is found.

The World Council of Churches, the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Sudan
Ecumenical Forum and the churches of Sudan have made several statements and
other interventions condemning the atrocities in Darfur and have urged the government
of Sudan to bring them to an end.

The Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches meeting in Seoul
from 24-27 August, 2004, conscious of the agony and affliction of the people of
Sudan and especially the women and children in the South and in Darfur:

On Southern Sudan

• welcomes the peace protocols signed between the government of Sudan and
the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement on 26 May, 2004, and encourages
the parties to sign a final comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible
and ensure its full implementation;
• acknowledges the efforts and the sacrifices made by the people of Sudan in their
struggle for peace and appreciates the support given by IGAD and the governments
of Kenya, the US, Norway, the UK, Italy and Switzerland and urges the
international community to ensure the signing of the comprehensive peace
agreement and to monitor its implementation.

On Darfur

• expresses its deep concern and dismay at the ongoing humanitarian disaster
and the gross human rights violations;
• urges the government of Sudan to fulfill its obligations to protect its civilian
population and to disarm the pro-government militia - the Janjaweed - and
calls on the parties to the conflict to respect the cease-fire and work for peace
and reconciliation;
• calls on the African Union and the United Nations to insist on the full deployment
of independent Human Rights and cease-fire monitoring teams, investigate
war crimes and provide for the presence of an adequate international
peace-keeping force;
• appeals to the neighbouring countries and the SPLA/M to assist in establishing
alternative routes for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Darfur.
On the role of the churches
• encourages the Sudan Council of Churches, the New Sudan Council of Churches
and the Sudanese churches to fulfill their specific ministry of forgiveness and
reconciliation at all levels of society;
• expresses its appreciation to the Sudan Ecumenical Forum for the intensive
and effective advocacy and efforts undertaken during the last ten years and
urges it to continue with its international advocacy work;
• appreciates and encourages the Action by Churches Together (ACT) International
to continue its humanitarian support and urges all humanitarian actors to provide
generous support for all those in need in the affected areas in Sudan;
• urges the ecumenical fellowship to enhance the capacity of the Sudanese churches
and its councils to enable them to respond effectively to the emerging challenges;
• calls on the WCC, the AACC and the SEF to join the efforts to advocate for
generous and substantial international support for the task of the rehabilitation,
reconstruction, repatriation, healing and reconciliation work of the churches.