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Statement on Ecumenical Solidarity Visit to Sudan

The executive committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting online on 30 May-2 June 2022, welcomes the ecumenical solidarity visit to Sudan on 20-25 April 2022 undertaken jointly by the WCC, the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) and the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA). Though this visit was planned already in early 2020 in light of the political upheavals and transitions of 2019, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, in October 2021, a military coup displaced again the civilian governmental leadership, in a development which this executive committee described as a betrayal of the revolution of 2019 and of the country's own Constitutional Document and other foundational documents of the transition.

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Executive committee
02 June 2022

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you" (Psalm 89:14)

The executive committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting online on 30 May-2 June 2022, welcomes the ecumenical solidarity visit to Sudan on 20-25 April 2022 undertaken jointly by the WCC, the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) and the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA). Though this visit was planned already in early 2020 in light of the political upheavals and transitions of 2019, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, in October 2021, a military coup displaced again the civilian governmental leadership, in a development which this executive committee described as a betrayal of the revolution of 2019 and of the country's own Constitutional Document and other foundational documents of the transition.

The purpose of the ecumenical solidarity visit was to accompany the churches and people of Sudan in the midst of significant changes and challenges in the country, and carried a strong message to the interim leadership of the Sudan Council of Churches of the support and solidarity of their ecumenical partners in the region and around the world.

The executive committee:

  • affirms this initiative, expresses its support for the churches of Sudan in their witness and ministry, and encourages national ecumenical cooperation in addressing the needs of Sudan’s people at this pivotal point in the history of their nation.
  • requests the Acting General Secretary to explore ways in which the WCC can continue to offer its support and accompaniment to the churches and people of Sudan, and for the reconstruction of the Sudan Council of Churches as an effective ecumenical instrument for engaging in the Sudanese national dialogue on behalf of the churches and Christian community.
  • encourages the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA) and indeed all ecumenical partners and specialized ministries with the means to do so to offer their support and accompaniment to the churches and people of Sudan and to the Sudan Council of Churches during this period of re-building and re-engagement.