| WCC Salutes Sudan's Peace Agreement and Proposes Steps for Reconstruction |
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| Written by WCC | ||||
| Friday, 21 January 2005 | ||||
 Calling it a "significant event in contemporary Africa," World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia hailed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on 9 January 2005 by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SLPA/SPLM).In a 17 January letter to the churches and people of Sudan, Kobia also stated that the agreement "brings a new life and a new hope to the people of Sudan" and, hopefully, "will bring a holistic, just and durable peace". Among a dozen measures suggested as "building blocks for a post-conflict economic recovery and reconstruction programme", the WCC general secretary proposed establishing "a well-equipped and robust international peacekeeping force that is able to investigate reported violations of the agreement and oversee its implementation", as well as to "set up a strong mechanism on the ground that can deter any violations of ceasefire". Congratulating both signing parties, Kobia expressed WCC praise for "the tenacity and resilience of the ordinary people of Sudan who have suffered much and now are looking forward to durable peace and stability". He also highlighted the contribution of Sudan's churches to the peace process, and the "exemplary leadership" of the Sudan Council of Churches, the New Sudan Council of Churches, and the support of the Sudan Ecumenical Forum. Recalling that "over the years the ecumenical movement committed major resources and remained engaged in mediation initiatives that have contributed to the signing of the agreement", the letter states that WCC "will continue to accompany and support the Sudanese churches as they keep themselves involved in the implementation and monitoring of the Peace Agreement". The full text of the letter is available at: http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/jan05sudanpeace.html The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya. Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:             
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 21 January 2005 ) | ||||
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