Document
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is deeply shocked by the consequences of recent attacks in North Darfur, Sudan, particularly the assaults on displacement camps in Zamzam and Abu Shouk, and the town of El Fasher. These attacks are reported to have resulted in the deaths of over 400 civilians including at least 9 humanitarian workers, and the displacement of an estimated 400,000 people. The violence has been marked by horrific brutality.
These atrocities are not only a violation of international humanitarian law but a gross affront to fundamental religious values of human dignity and the sanctity of life. Coming on the two-year anniversary of the eruption of conflict in Sudan, these violations add to a grievous and still mounting toll of tens of thousands dead, hundreds of thousands facing famine, and almost 13 million people displaced.
We welcome the additional humanitarian assistance pledged at yesterday’s conference in London, but lament the lack of collective political will to bring an end to the conflict that is continuing to inflict such terrible harm on the people of Sudan.
We join our voices with the cries of the suffering people of Sudan who continue to bear the brunt of this relentless violence, and denounce the continued provision of weapons and material support to the armed actors in Sudan by other states, serving only to sustain the violence and deepen the suffering of the Sudanese people.
The WCC urgently calls on:
1. All parties to the conflict—especially the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces—to commit immediately to a ceasefire, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and uphold the protection of civilians, including women, children, and displaced persons.
2. The international community to act swiftly and decisively to end this war, to ensure accountability for war crimes, to maintain humanitarian corridors, and to provide the resources needed to avert the deepening humanitarian crisis.
3. WCC member churches and ecumenical partners to continue praying for peace in Sudan, supporting efforts for dialogue and reconciliation, and advocating for a just and sustainable resolution to the conflict.
We reaffirm our solidarity with the churches and people of Sudan, especially through the Sudan Council of Churches, and encourage all faith communities to remain steadfast in their commitment to peacebuilding, justice, reconciliation and healing.
In such dark times for the people of Sudan, we recall the words of the prophet Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks…” (Isaiah 2:4). May the people of Sudan soon experience the dawn of peace after this long night of suffering.
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches
