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WCC calls for peace in Sudan after Garang death

-04/08/05

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is urging renewed commitment to the peace process in Sudan, following the untimely death of rebel leader turned vice president, Dr John Garang, in a helicopter crash.

In a letter this week to Sudan’s churches, the WCC general secretary, the Rev Dr Sam Kobia, has expressed his ìdeep sadnessî and his ìsolidarity and supportî for Christians and for the whole people of Sudan.

Dr Kobia, who has a personal relationship with the country, also underlined his confidence that ìDr Garang’s death [will] not adversely affect the process towards economic and social reconstruction of Southern Sudan and the need for its people to remain united.î

Sudan has only just emerged from a 21-year civil war between the mainly Muslim north and the south, in which Christianity and African traditional religion predominates. The war has cost the lives of around 1.5 million people.

After two years of tough bargaining the government and rebels finally signed a comprehensive peace deal in January this year. Dr John Garang, the key leader from the south, was sworn in as vice president only recently.

There have been riots following Dr Garangís death, and rumours of a political involvement in it. Eighteen people are reported dead in Juba, and UN secretary general Kofi Annan has called for calm. Churches and civic groups are trying to encourage unity in the face of tragedy.

The WCC head, whose organisation brings together 347 churches in over 120 countries representing almost virtually all Christian traditions, has also expressed concern that the peace building in the country will continue.

ìWe trust that the Southern Sudanese leadership will continue to nurture the dreams and vision of John Garang and the hope generated through the comprehensive peace agreementî, added Dr Kobia in his letter.

He continued: ìWe shall stand by the […] Sudanese churches in their pastoral and ethical role in the implementation of the peace process and in their ministry of reconciliation and healing of their land.î

The World Council of Churches has a long history of supporting peace efforts in the war-torn country, and Dr Kobia served as a special ecumenical envoy to Sudan before taking office as WCC general secretary.


Find books now:

WCC calls for peace in Sudan after Garang death

-04/08/05

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is urging renewed commitment to the peace process in Sudan, following the untimely death of rebel leader turned vice president, Dr John Garang, in a helicopter crash.

In a letter this week to Sudan’s churches, the WCC general secretary, the Rev Dr Sam Kobia, has expressed his ‘deep sadness’ and his ‘solidarity and support’ for Christians and for the whole people of Sudan.

Dr Kobia, who has a personal relationship with the country, also underlined his confidence that ‘Dr Garang’s death [will] not adversely affect the process towards economic and social reconstruction of Southern Sudan and the need for its people to remain united.’

Sudan has only just emerged from a 21-year civil war between the mainly Muslim north and the south, in which Christianity and African traditional religion predominates. The war has cost the lives of around 1.5 million people.

After two years of tough bargaining the government and rebels finally signed a comprehensive peace deal in January this year. Dr John Garang, the key leader from the south, was sworn in as vice president only recently.

There have been riots following Dr Garang’s death, and rumours of a political involvement in it. Eighteen people are reported dead in Juba, and UN secretary general Kofi Annan has called for calm. Churches and civic groups are trying to encourage unity in the face of tragedy.

The WCC head, whose organisation brings together 347 churches in over 120 countries representing almost virtually all Christian traditions, has also expressed concern that the peace building in the country will continue.

‘We trust that the Southern Sudanese leadership will continue to nurture the dreams and vision of John Garang and the hope generated through the comprehensive peace agreement’, added Dr Kobia in his letter.

He continued: ‘We shall stand by the […] Sudanese churches in their pastoral and ethical role in the implementation of the peace process and in their ministry of reconciliation and healing of their land.’

The World Council of Churches has a long history of supporting peace efforts in the war-torn country, and Dr Kobia served as a special ecumenical envoy to Sudan before taking office as WCC general secretary.