SPLA in Khartoum: Bishop of Rumbek, “rigidity and prejudice are falling”

VERONA, Italy, Dec 05, 2003 (MISNA) — It is the sign that some rigidities and prejudices that were obstructing a deeper dialogue have fallen, but in particular it is a decisive step towards the involvement of more protagonists in the negotiations,” said Monsignor Cesare Mazzolari, Comboni, Bishop of Rumbek (southern Sudan), in reaction to the news of the first visit of a delegation of SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) rebels to Khartoum.

Speaking at the Joint Centre for Missionary Co-operation in Verona, where he is attending a conference, Monsignor Mazzolari underlined that, to date, the management of the peace negotiations in Naivasha, Kenya, has been concentrated in the hands of the SPLA leader, John Garand, and the Vice President of Sudan, Ali Osman Taha. ”

The involvement of new subjects in Khartoum and their meeting opens up the possibility of including other voices and of reaching a peace that is better shared,” he said.

This is the prelate’s main concern: that some groups or personalities feel ‘left out’ of the accords and of the resulting division of power.

“For this reason, it is important that Sudanese civil society and the Church, which have been excluded from negotiations, have the chance of making their concrete contribution to peace.

After all, civil society will bear a considerable burden in the post-conflict era, when the problem of the return of displaced people, not to mention that of millions of people who expatriated during the decades of war, will have to be tackled.

With the skills acquired outside the country, returnees could help to rebuild the country, but if their return is not accompanied by adequate measures, it could lead to further social disruption,” concluded Monsignor Mazzolari.