The Church wants to play active role in South Sudan referendum

By James Gatdet Dak

July 8, 2010 (JUBA) – Churches from the rest of Africa and in Sudan have declared their intention to actively participate in mobilizing the people of Southern Sudan for the referendum as well as promote peace and reconciliation among various communities in the region.

This was expressed on Thursday in a meeting between the Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and a joint delegation from All Africa Conference of Churches and Sudan Council of Churches. The delegation was headed by the Ecumenical Special Envoy to Sudan, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, who was also accompanied by the General Secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches, Rev. Ramadan Chan Liol.

The delegation stressed the importance of the church playing an active role in the referendum process. They referred to the Biblical phrase which says let my people choose or “let my people go.”

The delegation expressed its readiness to work hand in hand with civil society organizations in mobilizing the people for a large turnout during the seven days of voting.

Dr. Machar commended the church for reactivating its role of peace building, recalling that the church played a big role during the war and in the negotiations of the CPA. He however pointed out that the church unfortunately became silent after the signing of the CPA.

The Vice President said silence of guns after the signing of the CPA doesn’t mean achievement of permanent peace in the country. He urged the church to contribute effectively to peace building and success of the referendum.

(ST)