Document
While a fragile ceasefire has brought a lull in the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the humanitarian catastrophe the conflict has inflicted on the people of Sudan continues to unfold. As many other countries move to evacuate their citizens, WCC member church and ecumenical partner contacts in Sudan report that after more than ten days of armed violence and destruction, hospitals are still not operating, shops and markets remain closed, and essential services are still not functioning. People are struggling to find food and the basic necessities of life.
The WCC appeals to the warring parties to refrain from any further hostilities - especially affecting civilians and civilian areas, to respect and protect places of worship (churches and mosques), and to act urgently to ensure a sustainable peace, so that essential services can be restored and critically-needed humanitarian operations resumed.
The WCC urges a swift and sufficient response by the international community to the humanitarian emergency resulting from this unconscionable violence, and supports calls for an urgent special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the consequent human rights crisis in Sudan.
We encourage all WCC member churches, ecumenical and interfaith partners, and all people of good will to join in prayers for peace and in active solidarity with the people of Sudan.
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
World Council of Churches general secretary
