AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - " We are deeply troubled by the ongoing violence in our two nations", say the Bishops of North and South Sudan that will remain united in the same Episcopal Conference

Wau (Agenzia Fides) - "We are deeply troubled by the ongoing violence in our two nations. Civil war has broken out in the Nuba Mountains / South Kordofan State and in the Blue Nile State, alongside the ongoing war in Darfur", write the Bishops of Sudan and Southern Sudan at the end of their plenary assembly, which was held from 19 to October 28 in Wau (Southern Sudan). The Bishops of the two countries have decided to maintain a single Episcopal Conference: "We remain one bishops’ Conference. The Church in the two nations will continue to be in solidarity due to our shared history and the very real practical and human links between us. We have set up two secretariats, one in Juba and one in Khartoum, to implement the pastoral policies of the Bishops in each nation", said the statement Fides received.
Following the referendum on independence held in January, Southern Sudan became an independent state. Both Sudan and the new state, however, are shaken by violence in various parts of their territories. Referring to the areas of Sudan, mentioned previously the Bishops state: "We have consistently warned of the danger of a return to hostilities if the legitimate aspirations of the people of these areas were not met. Civilians are being terrorized by indiscriminate aerial bombardment. There is an urgent need to open humanitarian corridors to allow food and medicine to reach those in need".
The dispute over the status of Abyei has been militarised. The Sudanese Bishops' Conference calls for international mediation to resolve the issue. The Bishops also recall the areas of Southern Sudan devastated by inter-communal violence (as that between Madi and Acholi communities) and incursions of the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army).
Without mentioning it, the Bishops seem to criticize the U.S. government's decision to send 100 military advisers to help local governments to hunt down the LRA guerrillas. "We reject further militarization of any of these conflicts, and call upon governments and the international community to work for negotiated settlements. We call for increased protection and humanitarian assistance for the affected populations". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 03/11/2011)