Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Khartoum (Agenzia Fides)- “An architect of development and a hero for the people of eastern Equatoria and the whole of Southern Sudan”. With these words the Governor of the State of Eastern Equatoria (Southern Sudan), Louis Lobong, described Bishop Paride Taban, emeritus Bishop of Torit. Mgr Taban, accompanied by a delegation of a few local priests, had a meeting with the newly elected Governor. The Bishop emeritus of Torit urged the people of Southern Sudan to remain united and to work for peace in view of the referendum in 2011, in which the people will decide either for independence or to remain part of Sudan, as at present.
The governor said his administration intends to work with the local Catholic Church to help the people at this difficult time. The governor also recalled how the Bishop emeritus worked during civil war assisting the various civil communities and opening schools and medical centres.
Mgr. Taban said he was confident about the country's future: “Sudan will never fall back into war today or after the referendum to determine the future of the people of Southern Sudan”.
The Church's work of promoting peace is more than ever necessary at this time when reports from Southern Sudan speak of clashes and threatening statements from leaders of a rebel group of the SPLA (Sudan’s People Liberation Army). Formerly a guerrilla movement, the SPLA, following a peace agreement reached in 2005, today governs Southern Sudan.
George Athor, the dissident leader, claims his men have fought repeatedly against troops of the SPLA. However the local government denies clashes reported between its troops and soldiers of Athor on 15 June in the state of Jonglei, rich in oil deposits.
Another area of crisis is Abyei, situated on the border between North and Southern Sudan, where the people will be called to vote in a different referendum from that of Southern Sudan to decide whether the territory will belong to North or to Southern Sudan. Abyei is rich in oil deposits; if it joins Southern Sudan it will increase the oil potential of the south, to the detriment of the north, which in the case of independence on the part of Southern Sudan would lose a major source of income.
Seeing the interests at stake, we understand efforts and appeals by the local Church and others for the situation to remain calm. The people certainly want peace, they have no desire to experience the horrors of 25 years of war. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/6/2010)
