Hotline: Urgent Call for Action on SudanTo: Africa Advocates Issue: On October 11, 2007, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the ruling party in southern Sudan and partner in the Government of National Unity (GONU), pulled its ministers and presidential advisors out of the GONU due to the lack of progress in implementing key components of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). This includes missed deadlines for withdrawing northern Sudan Armed Forces from specified areas of the South, failure to make progress on the demarcation of borders (which affects oil revenue sharing) and failure to make progress toward democratic elections. The latest round of Darfur Peace talks, which commenced on Oct 27 in Libya, were disappointing and yielded little progress due to a boycott by many of the rebel groups. The continued fracturing of rebel groups in Darfur has made it impossible to bring a united agenda to such negotiations. Background: In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in Sudan by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Government of Sudan (GOS) ending one of Africa’s deadliest and longest running civil wars. This conflict, between government forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), lasted more than two decades, claimed two-million lives and displaced four-million people. Months before the signing of the CPA, a new and devastating conflict emerged in Darfur in western Sudan. This new conflict has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced over two-million people. The Darfur conflict has been termed the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis” and its effects have spread to the neighboring countries of Chad and the Central African Republic. With an increase in violence and displacement, the humanitarian situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate. The United Nations Security Council has authorized a UN-African Union hybrid peacekeeping force to protect civilians; however, it has yet to be deployed. Of equal concern is the fear that peace will fall apart in the South, leading once again into open warfare. Faith Reflection As peacemakers, we are called not only to avoid war but to actively work for peace. As difficult as this can seem in a far off place such as Sudan, there are things we can do. The United States government helped to broker the CPA and has a responsibility to monitor the agreement, report violations, and pressure both parties to honor their commitments. We can help to speak truth to our leaders on behalf of the people of Sudan who are longing for peace and stability. “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 Action Call or write your members of Congress (www.house.gov, www.senate.gov, or (202) 224-3121) and urge them to:
For sample letters and more information, go to: www.mcc.org/us/washington/issues/africa/. Thank you for your action on behalf of the people of Sudan. GET YOUR CONGREGATION INVOLVED IN SUDAN ADVOCACY!The Washington Office will be launching a new web campaign, Waging Peace in Sudan, in January 2008. Watch our website for more information. Visits, e-mails, phone calls, faxes and letters are all good ways to contact your legislators. E-mails, phone calls and faxes are good for time-sensitive issues. Postal mail travels slowly in the Capitol, but letters have long-term impact. Be sure to include your mailing address in all correspondence to confirm your residency in a particular district and state. We would be grateful for copies of your correspondence and any responses you receive! Please send them to
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