Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
27 March 2009
Nairobi — African Protestant and evangelical churches have asked the Government of Sudan to allow uninterrupted access to humanitarian agencies helping millions of people in war-torn Darfur.
"We are deeply worried about the consequences of the recent expulsion of humanitarian aid organizations from Darfur, organizations that have been providing life-saving assistance to the peoples of Sudan," All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) said in a statement on Friday.
Sudan has expelled at least 16 aid groups after the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague issued an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The government accused the agencies of spying. The United Nations has said the expulsion has put the lives of some one million people at risk.
The AACC statement came at the end of a meeting on Sudan in Nairobi. The organisation called on the government to "assume full responsibility to protect its citizens regardless of origin, religion and political affiliation."
The churches expressed their worry that the ICC arrest warrant against al-Bashir could further distract the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, without which there can be no real peace in Sudan.
"We urge all the parties in the Darfur to equally restrain from all forms of violence and to respect the human rights and dignity of all people in Sudan," the AACC said.
The organisation noted the persistent role of the churches in Sudan to be constructive actors for peace, justice and dignity for all peoples. The churches should continue faithfully with the messages of peace, justice and development for the well-being of their country.
The AACC also called on the nations of Africa through the African Union and the international community, notably the Arab League and the United Nations, to continue to supporting the peace process through dialogue and advocacy.
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