Dr Williams calls for Sudan pledge
Communion News Service
| 19 Jun 2009
Print This
TEXT
Top News...
- Latest
- Most commented
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has called for a renewed commitment to sustainable peace in Sudan.
He says:
With only 18 months left before the scheduled referendum on the future of Southern Sudan, it is essential that all parties are reminded of the obligations contained in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in January 2005.
The CPA brought to an end 21 years of bitter civil war in Southern Sudan in which over 2 million people died. I saw the first benefits of peace myself when I visited Sudan in February 2006, just one year after the signing of the agreement.
The CPA brought new hope to Southern Sudan after long and destructive conflict. Families could be reunited after long years of separation. New development opportunities opened up such as the church’s widespread programmes of teacher training and classroom building. For the first time, Southern Sudan had the opportunity to establish its own government as an autonomous region within the country.
However, delays in implementing the CPA and unfulfilled commitments have threatened the sustainability of this peace. There is now an urgency for both parties to the agreement and the international community which helped to broker and support it to demonstrate their renewed commitment to implement the agreement fully.
This includes proceeding with disarmament and addressing the widespread problems of insecurity; establishing a workable infrastructure of roads and energy supplies in the region; settling the overdue issues of border demarcation; making timely progress towards free and fair elections; and ensuring the process is on track towards the referendum in which the people of Southern Sudan exercise their right of self-determination in February 2011.
It is understandable and right that the continuing horrors of Darfur attract international attention. But we need to recognize that unless the commitments around the CPA are honoured there is no chance of settling the conflict in Darfur.
I therefore urge a renewal of commitment and a readiness to work for measurable results as soon as possible. Meanwhile I hope there will continue to be the most widespread support and prayer for sustainable peace to be achieved throughout Sudan.
Editors' Picks
Bishops slam 'shameful' cells
Senior church leaders have spoken out against conditions at New Plymouth prison, labelling the...
'New buoyancy' greets Bishop Kelvin
One of Dunedin's own, Dr Kelvin Wright, is installed as its ninth Anglican Bishop.
Big refit for century-old church
One of Gisborne's hidden treasures is to be restored for the whole community to enjoy.
Bishop challenges 'the good life'
The retiring Bishop of Auckland has laid his pastoral staff on the altar - and challenged Kiwi...
Pasefika farewells 'a prince of the church'
The funeral service for Archbishop Jabez Bryce, Bishop of Polynesia, followed two days of gath...
Just how green can you get?
Respect for the environment is not an optional extra for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan W...
© Anglican Taonga
ANGLICAN TAONGA is the communications arm of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia / Te Haahi Mihanare ki Niu Tireni, ki Nga Moutere o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. TAONGA magazine is published three times a year and distributed to all Anglican ministry units and agencies. TAONGA also publishes occasional booklets on church, ministry and sacraments. The General Editor of TAONGA is accountable to the Communications Commission of General Synod / te Hinota Whanui, 200 St Johns Road, Meadowbank, Auckland 1742.
Comments on this story
Log in or create a user account to comment.