GREAT LAKES CHURCH COUNCILS CALL FOR PEACE IN
SUDAN

PRESS RELEASE                      15 April 1998

Leaders of the Great Lakes region and Horn of Africa church
councils ended their two-day consultative meeting on Sudan with a
rallying cry for an end to the bloodletting in Sudan.  The meeting
which began from 7-8 April in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi,
expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in
Southern Sudan, and appealed to the warring parties to hold 'peace
discussions without pre-conditions, based on the IGAD and
Declaration of Principles'.

Earlier, the Sudanese Church had appealed to the regional church
councils to pray, lobby and advocate in their respective countries
for peace in Sudan. They also drew their attention to the plight of
the Sudanese refugees in the neighbouring countries and their
urgent need for humanitarian assistance for those who are internally
displaced inside the country. "We are grateful for this gathering of
the churches in the region to listen and discuss the conflict in
Sudan. We recommend, therefore, the continuation of this
important church forum for pursuance of issues of common concern
to the peoples in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lake Region".

This regional conference, which brought together spiritual leaders
from seven countries, is seen here as yet another landmark towards
a better understanding of the conflicts in the region and a
commitment by the churches to make a concerted effort to play
their role towards peace-building. Indeed, it was a vital opportunity
for the Sudanese churches to obtain guidance and support from
Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa church councils. The
gains were considerable in terms of establishing a joint recognition
of the complex political situation in Sudan.

The meeting, the first of its kind, was jointly organised by the All
Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), New Sudan Council of
churches (NSCC), National Council of Churches of Kenya
(NCCK), was supported by the World Council of Churches
(WCC). It brought together over 50 participants from Ethiopia,
Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eritrea, Tanzania
and the host country, Kenya, with apologies from Burundi and
Uganda church councils. The Sudan Council of Churches (SCC)
representatives were also present, as well as the representatives of
Sudan Government and SPLM.
The region that has come to be known as the "Great Lakes region"
has traditionally comprised Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic
Republic of Congo. Over the time the geographic scope has
included Tanzania and Uganda. Through the regional peace
processes initiated by the heads of states, Kenya has gradually been
recognised as part this Great Lakes configuration. The ecumenical
initiatives known as the Great Lakes Core Group comprises the
national council of churches of Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda,
Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

The inclusion of the Sudanese churches through the SCC and
NSCC acknowledges the fact that there are inter-linkages in the
conflict systems of the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region,
with Sudan forming the link between the two. The immediate
concern of the churches in the region has been triggered by the
presence of Sudanese refugees in Uganda and Kenya, and the
cross-border activities of rebel groups such as the Lord's Resistance
Army, as well as the general concern for peace and stability.

Over the years churches and church organisations have been
involved in peace and reconciliation initiatives at the local levels.
However, not much engagement has been undertaken at the
regional level, partly because there was little understanding of the
inter-linkages of the conflicts across national boundaries. Tackling
these conflicts together has been a source of strength and an
opportunity for sharing the challenges that the churches in the
respective countries are faced with. This consultative meeting
provided an opportunity for the churches to be in closer solidarity
with each other as they undertake the arduous journey towards
regional peace and stability.

Not surprisingly, the meeting expressed:
1. its appreciation for:-
     a) the presence of the representatives and parties to the
conflict (Sudan  People's Liberation Movement/Sudan People's
Liberation Army and  Government of Sudan;
     b) its appreciation for the presence of the representatives of
the Churches and the Christian Councils of the region;
     c) and its appreciation of the support of the AACC, NSCC,
NCCK, WCC and the Christian community and their partners for
convening this regional meeting.
2. recognition of the effect of the conflict in Sudan on its
neighbouring countries  - in this regard the meeting recognises the
hospitality of Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt and other
neighbouring countries, extended to Sudanese refugees and
students. It recognises the hardening character of refugee legislation
in the region and calls for continued support to these refugees and
students.
3. Recognition of IGAD as the primary forum for peace in Sudan
based on the Declaration of Principles, and the eve of the IGAD
talks urges the parties to continue peace discussion without
pre-conditions.
4. Concern for the serious famine and food deficit in parts of South
Sudan and urges that this need be met without either party using
food as a weapon.
5. Welcome for moves towards structured regional ecumenical
responses to the conflict in Sudan and other conflicts in the region.
6. Its congratulations to the Government of Sudan and the
SPLM/SPLA for their positive responses to the Global Convention
on the Banning of Mines.
7. Its welcome to the delegations of the Government of Sudan and
SPLM/SPLA, and notes the need for continuous dialogue between
Southerners and Northerners of all parties.
8. In the spirit of Holy Week (Eastertide) the need for all to pray
for the people of Sudan, that God in His infinite mercy will bring
just and durable peace for the Sudan.


Karen, Nairobi, 8.4.98