Letter to H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya, 24 January, 2005
(A similar letter was also sent to H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni, President of the Republic
of Uganda; 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 the support given
to the initiative 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.
Your Excellency may be aware that the churches, too, have been involved
through the work of the World Council of Churches 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 embrace with gratitude your commitment to peace
and the enduring tenacity of the people of Sudan during the times of negotiation.

The role of the Government of Kenya in the Sudanese peace process is highly
commendable and the world is grateful for your leadership in it.

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 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.

Your Excellency, we trust that the relationship between your government and
the churches in Kenya will continue to flourish for the good and well-being of
the people of Kenya. As church and state we are all called to affirm the human
rights, human dignity and democratic values of all peoples.

Assuring you of our prayers, we seek God’s blessings to continue to sustain you
in good health. May the blessings and peace of God embrace you and the people
of Kenya for generations to come!

I enclose the message that I have 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