SUDAN, SOUTH SUDAN: Bishops Conference Sends Message of Hope Amidst Sudan Crisis

Ginaba Lino

The Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan in their joint statement on the situation of Khartoum, have encouraged the People of Sudan not to be discouraged amidst the protracted conflict, but to trust in God who surpasses every suffering and gives a sense of hope.

Members of Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference (SSCBC) said they feel the conflict in Sudan is an attempt to block solidarity among the people of Sudan.

“We have a strong feeling that the chain of events in Sudan is an attempt to block your aspiration for a society where people live as brothers and sisters,” the bishops said in their collective statement of encouragement to the people of Sudan.

The Church leaders believe that their strength comes from the power of prayer, an act that raises hope for a better tomorrow.

The Conference of Bishops stated that they will continue to engage leaders of the various parties in Sudan to have the interest of the people at heart.

“As Bishops, we believe that our strength comes from the power of prayers, an act which raises our hope for a better tomorrow. Using different platforms, we will continue to engage the leaders of the various parties in the Sudan to put the interest of the people first, in their struggle for political power,” they stated.

In a statement seen by AMECEA Online Correspondent, the bishops appeal to the International Community, the Troika, and the United Nations (UN) not to sit back, but to continue its responsibility of working towards addressing the crisis.

“With this statement, we would like to appeal to the International Community, the Troika, and the UN not to sit back, but to continue its responsibility of working towards addressing the crisis and providing the necessary support to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Sudan.”

Indeed, the best gift the people in Sudan need now is an immediate ceasefire and an end to the conflict,” said the Bishops.”

The Bishops regret that humanitarian organizations are not granted permission to deliver essential services to the affected population despite interventions offered by some humanitarian agencies including Catholic agencies.

The Bishops also extended their gratitude for the courage of the clergy, Religious men and women for their commitment to continue to serve the people of God despite all the challenges.

“To you, our dear clergy and Religious men and women, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your courage and resilience. When the war broke out you and your Bishops got scattered all over the country and even across the border. The conflict deprived you of the use of churches and centers of worship.”

“It made you lose essential properties and commodities for sustenance. Yet, despite all these challenges you continued to serve the people of God. We will seek ways to improve the conditions of lives of the priests and religious who were forced to abandon their areas of evangelization,” the Bishops promised.

The conflict is causing massive destruction of human lives, property and livelihoods to the surprise of many, who never expected such an unfortunate situation to unfold in Sudan, “They added.”

The statement stated that in regions like Darfur and Kordofan, villages have been burned to the ground, leaving citizens with no shelter and accommodation.

The United Nation Office for Coordination of Humanitarian affairs (UNOCHA) estimates up to 3.5 million people had to be evacuated from Khartoum and other cities of Sudan.

More than 2.7 million are either internally displaced or have crossed to neighboring countries for refuge.

There are reports of war crimes and human rights abuses being committed up to date.