Feature Story - August 2011
Christians Hail Formation of South Sudan
The two nations are now Sudan and South Sudan.
Just days after South Sudan formally declared its independence, the North African country officially became the 193rd member state of the United Nations.
The independence proclamation was the culmination of a referendum held in January, in which nearly 99 percent of people in the mainly Christian southern Sudan, voted to secede from the Islamist-led government in northern Sudan.
The vote was guaranteed in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, which ended more than two decades of civil war. The fighting claimed over two million lives.
President Obama immediately recognized South Sudan's independence, as did Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who was indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Darfur region in the western part of Sudan.
The United Nations Security Council, likewise, unanimously approved a resolution for a new peacekeeping mission in the new Republic of South Sudan, which calls for up to 7,000 troops for at least one year, an increase of 2,000 troops in South Sudan.
That same resolution also includes establishment of a U.N. Interim Security Force for Abyei, a disputed oil-rich border region between Sudan and South Sudan.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon acknowledged concerns about the new nation.
"Critical issues of poverty, insecurity and lack of infrastructure must all be addressed by a relatively new government with little experience and only embryonic institutions."
At the same time, Ban said South Sudan has "remarkable potential."
"With substantial oil reserves, huge amounts of arable land and the Nile flowing through its center, South Sudan could grow into a prosperous, self-sustaining nation capable of providing security, services and employment for its population," Ban said.
Despite vast oil reserves, South Sudan is still among the poorest countries in the world. Presently, more than 75 percent of what was Sudan's daily oil production, comes from the south. However, there are no refineries there, and the south has to send oil exports through the north.
Among those who were on hand for the South Sudan Independence Day ceremony in the newly designated capital city of Juba, and for the swearing-in ceremony of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, was U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice.
"Independence is not a gift that you were given. Independence is a prize that you have won," Rice said.
Franklin Graham, CEO and president of both Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, was also in Juba.
"This is something that the people of the South have been praying for, for many, many years. We thank God for the support, we thank God for answered prayer, and we thank God that He's given the South an opportunity to rise up from the ashes and to build a new nation.
For the past few decades, the world has watched this part of Africa suffer through one of the deadliest civil wars in history. As I look back over the years that Samaritan's Purse has been providing relief and aid across a war-torn Sudan, it now brings me great joy and honor to attend the celebration of South Sudan's Independence Day," Graham said.
Since 1993, Samaritan's Purse has invested about $100 million to help the people of Sudan, rebuilding 425 churches since 2005, many in remote villages.
Many Christian leaders and denominations are praying for peace and success in South Sudan.
Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on International Justice and Peace, who visited north and south Sudan last summer, stated, "It is our sincere hope and prayer that the people of the Republic of South Sudan will enjoy freedom and prosperity. We ask God to guide them as they strive to build a new nation on a foundation of respect for human rights and religious freedom.
We are mindful of the tremendous sacrifices and loss of life that led to independence and of the continued suffering in the region. We implore the nations and peoples of the region to work together to resolve their differences so that everyone can enjoy lasting peace and human rights," Hubbard said.
World Evangelical Alliance CEO and General Secretary, Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, wrote, "Throughout the years, the Evangelical churches in southern Sudan, in partnership with the Church around the world, have sought to provide comfort, aid and care for many people in your country.
This letter of congratulations comes with a commitment that we will continue to call our global community to pray and partner with the people of South Sudan.
To the government of South Sudan, we remind you on this momentous occasion the following Biblical injunction.
‘A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!' Proverbs 29:18.
To all the citizens of the new nation of South Sudan, we offer you this Biblical insight.
‘Make Jesus your Lord proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever ... Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government,' 1 Peter 2:13-17.
May God Almighty abundantly bless the new nation of South Sudan," Tunnicliffe penned.
The Episcopal Church issued a prayer for South Sudan, that read in part, "O God, you made all of us for your glory. You want us to serve you in freedom and in peace. We ask you to give all the people of Sudan lots of energy to work for justice. We also ask you to give them patience and understanding. We pray that they use their freedom to follow your will always.
We ask you to guide the people of South Sudan as they begin as a new nation. We pray that all Sudanese will be safe in their homes. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in its prayer, wrote, "As we think of our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sudan, our hearts echo the joy they are experiencing for bringing this country through a peaceful referendum.
Lord, we must bring our concerns to you. We hear the anxiety expressed by our sisters and brothers in the north of Sudan, who are apprehensive about their status. We pray for the protection of their human rights, including the right to practice and witness to their Christian faith where they have become a very small minority.
We pray, Lord, that you might bless the efforts of all our partners as they work to follow the Prince of Peace and bring reconciliation, just governance and stability to the south.
Thank you, gracious God, for the opportunity for us to be in partnership with these sisters and brothers in Sudan who have so much to teach us about faithful witness, as they proclaim and live out the Good News of Jesus Christ in the midst of such serious challenges. Help us to faithfully pray and advocate on their behalf."
Ann Buwalda, executive director of Jubilee Campaign USA, said, "This new nation needs our prayers and global support to rebuild. Following decades of civil war and oppression, the south of Sudan is a wrecked countryside. With little infrastructure to support its own population, millions of returning refugees and migrants are expected to pour into it looking for work.
If the north and south go to war once again, it will be over the large oil reserves of Abyei," Buwalda said.
Leonard Leo, chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent bipartisan federal government panel, called it an exciting time for the people of South Sudan, marking the end of its "decades-long struggle and sacrifice for religious freedom and human rights."
Leo continued, "While a momentus occasion, much work remains in order to help ensure the viability of this new country, one that USCIRF hopes will respect the religious freedom and human rights of all people in the south. Due to decades of conflict and underdevelopment at the hands of Khartoum, South Sudan must grapple with serious challenges, including an underdeveloped infrastructure, food insecurity, inadequate access to social services, and limited government capacity to meet needs and govern effectively. South Sudan also must confront a legacy of internal conflicts and the absence of rule of law.
The United States and the world cannot miss this opportunity to help all Sudanese citizens achieve freedom and peace," Leo said.
Caritas International, a confederation of Catholic relief organizations, has announced that its members will provide $7.6 million to provide essential aid to 100,000 people in South Sudan through next July. It said, the work will focus on repair and rehabilitation of water, sanitation, health and education facilities, and the provision of shelter, food and other aid assistance.
Wycliffe Associates says Bible translation in both Sudans is one of its top strategic priorities for the coming years. It notes that more people are without the Bible in Sudan and South Sudan than anywhere else in Africa. Of the 111 languages spoken in the two Sudans, 54 languages do not yet have a single translated verse of the Bible.
Wycliffe Associates President and CEO, Bruce Smith, said, "We've got to seize every opportunity God places before us, and invest as much as we possibly can, as effectively and quickly as we possibly can, for the cause of Christ."
Also, an international ecumenical delegation is due to visit South Sudan in October to assess the situation in the new nation.
[Home] [Introducing UNI] [News Coverage] [Features Page][Publications]
