Clerics Urge Juba, Khartoum To Resume Negotiations

By Lopu Moses
JUBA, 26th April 2012 [Gurtong]

This came in a press conference at the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) compound where clerics converged to discuss the current situation between the two countries.

Addressing the press, the chairman of the Sudan Council of Churches, Rev. Bishop Michael Taban Toro said that military solution to the unclear borders is not the best adding that the two governments have a choice of going for peace.

“The two governments should return to a political option. The CPA framework is ideal for resolving the unfinished issues of border demarcation, Abyei, Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, oil transit fees and citizenship,” he said.

The SCC has called on the international community, regional bodies and experts on peace resolutions and negotiations to help the two countries resolve their problems.

The church leaders have also called on the humanitarian agencies to continue providing support to the affected people of the two countries.

Nevertheless, the clerics have condemned the bombardments by Khartoum on Unity State that have claimed lives and urged Khartoum to cease immediately.

The churches also condemned the setting on fire of Presbyterian Evangelical Church, bible and basic schools in Giref West, Khartoum last Saturday by Islamic Fundamentalists. They further urged the two governments and the people of the two countries to embrace and tolerate religious and ethnic diversity.

Bishop Taban also calls on Khartoum to release the SCC staff and return all the SCC vehicles and office equipment that were alleged to have been taken by security forces at Nyala, Dafur on Monday 23rd/04/2012.

Meanwhile the bishop of the Episcopal Church of Juba, Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak Laso expressed concerns and urged leaders from the two countries to return to peaceful negotiations. In a press release obtained by Gurtong, Deng added that the people of the two countries want peace and not a lifetime grudge.