The country of Sudan is recovering from a lengthy civil war that displaced more than 4 million people, severely damaged the nation's economy and led to food shortages. Lack of investment during war years meant that an entire generation lost access to basic health services, education and jobs.

In 2005, peace was consolidated under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and Southern Sudan was granted autonomy for six years, to be followed by a referendum about independence.

The Washington Memo recently sat down with Mrs. Awut Deng Acuil, a Member of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly and a Presidential Advisor on Gender and Human Rights for the government of Southern Sudan to talk with her about the topic of "living with hope." [Please note that this interview is a more extensive version than the one that appears in print copy.]

Washington Memo: What motivated you to become involved in the political process in Sudan?

Mrs. Awut Deng Acuil: In 1994, my son asked me, "How long is this war going to take and when are we going to go back home?" [My family was living in Kenya as a result of the civil war in Sudan.] I could not answer his questions. I had no idea when they could go home. The only way to answer was to take action, to contribute to ending the war, to create peace and to bring hope.

I started to work at peace and reconciliation among the Sudanese people in Kenya. I tried to bring to light the plight of the Sudanese people before governments, churches and civil society. It all started at the grass roots level and we just talked to people at all levels of society and took their voices to the world. Later on, I participated in the peace negotiations and then in the government that was created afterwards.

WM: Having witnessed the war and violence in Sudan, what gives you hope as you look into the future?

ADA: The situation is not hopeless because the land of Southern Sudan exists as an entity. I have children I need to bring back. It is not the end, even if I have lost so much. I still have people, this land and those God-given rights of freedom and dignity. My hope is that I still see Southern Sudan as home.

Hope is life. As long as I am breathing, I cannot be hopeless. I thank God for the breath that he has given me to do my part to create a better future. The fruit of the people who have been sacrificed will be realized tomorrow and I want to see that tomorrow. Only hope can take me to tomorrow.

WM: What are some of the positive changes that you see taking place in Sudan?

ADA: The big achievement is the Comprehensive Peace Agreement—that they took the courage to find a peaceful solution. The fact is there is still a war in Darfur and there is much suffering, but there is relative peace in the South. People are doing business, selling vegetables, traveling and finding each other again. Small, small activities of opening up roads, clearing land mines and cleaning water are taking place. These are all great signs because people can come back to live as families. They are creating what they want Southern Sudan to look like.

This is the first time in the history of Sudan that the South has a constitution of its own, that there is a state of Southern of Sudan. This is the first time that we can speak about an army controlled by a government of Southern Sudan, about the country accepting two systems in one. It is a great achievement.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement has shaped Sudan as a whole and it will continue to bring change to the country. We have been given a great opportunity to bring transformation to Sudan. This is just the beginning of a society that will prosper if the opportunity is seized properly.

WM: What role, if any, can the United States play in securing a better future for Sudan?

ADA: Well, first I'd like to say thanks to the United States. It played an effective role in helping to bring peace to Southern Sudan. It put a lot of pressure on the two parties to dialogue. Also, churches in the United States covered us with prayer.

The United States has to continue to ensure that the peace agreement is implemented. It has a role to play in finding a comprehensive peace for the whole country. It is not enough to have peace in the South. It should not sit back now.

WM: What role can churches play in bringing about positive change in war-torn countries like Sudan?

ADA: Churches have a tremendous role to play. Where there is injustice, the church stands for justice.

The church has to continue its role in advocacy and development, in education and health. It can help bring peace by filling spiritual holes and holding governments accountable, by seeking equality.

In Sudan, the church can especially help in the area of dealing with trauma. These services are needed very badly and foreign churches could help Sudanese churches in this way.We will not have a peaceful society without healing, forgiveness and open communication. Some people have no one left and they have no hope left. We have to help people find hope.