25 June 2010

URGENT

SUFFERING IN SUDAN

War. Persecution. Hunger. Disease.

Two million dead. Five million refugees. The mainly Christian population of South Sudan suffered grievously during the brutal civil war (1983 – 2005), which completely destroyed the infrastructure of the South. Five years later, they are still in desperate need.

South Sudan is three times the size of Britain, and one of the poorest regions in the world. Attempts by the Islamic government of North Sudan to impose sharia law on the south led to two decades of civil war. Yet during the conflict, churches in the South experienced massive growth. In the North many congregations of believers were planted amongst unreached people.

Despite the signing of a peace agreement, Christians in the South continue to endure insecurity and poverty. Those in the North, living under sharia, endure suspicion, discrimination and severe restrictions. Converts from Islam face intense pressure from family and community and are liable to various judicial punishments, including the death penalty, though this is seldom imposed.

And the future brings still more challenges for South Sudan. The year 2010 is expected to see a higher level than normal of the fatal parasitic disease kala-azar (transmitted by sand flies). In 2011, the South is due to vote on whether to become an independent country. Such a momentous choice is all too likely to bring instability or renewed conflict.

[Barnabas Fund]