Sudan is in real danger of sliding back to war, according to the head of the Anglican Church in the Eastern African nation.

On Monday, Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, Primate of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, wrote a passionate letter to representatives of the international community in the country appealing for their increased support for implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended the civil war in 2005.

He said he had recently toured many parts of South Sudan and witnessed first-hand the suffering of the people due to growing insecurity.

"In the Church's opinion, this is the biggest problem in Sudan today, and prevents any further material or economic development, as well as the free and fair elections desperately needed in February 2010 and the referendum on Southern secession scheduled for 2011," the archbishop said.

In Western and Central Equatoria provinces, the people are under attack from the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), rumoured to be supported by certain people within Sudan. A large number of civilians in Eastern Equatoria, Lakes and Jonglei states are armed, the prelate said.

The proliferation of modern weapons has also worsened tribal conflicts over cattle and grazing rights.

"Who is doing this is still largely unknown, but it is evident from local reports received through the Church network that the arms smuggling, re-armament and incitement of tribal violence is being carried out by enemies of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)."

Archbishop Deng said that his recent visits to different parts of the semi-autonomous region convinced him that the government has failed to protect the people.

"The army is largely absent from effected areas; the police are too few to provide adequate security to even the County Commissioners, let alone the people, and therefore the government is in danger."

The archbishop said he was making "a passionate and heartfelt appeal" to governments and donor organizations, in particular the United Nations agencies and the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands, who are guarantor signatories of the CPA, not to let the country relapse into war.

He urged the international community "to consider very seriously the churches as key partners in the work of peace-building on the ground."

Meawhile, a new report published by the Rift Valley Institute warns that next year's election is in jeopardy unless strong measures are taken to curb malpractice, ensure press freedom and reach out to voters living beyond the central area of the country.

"The stakes are very high," the report said. "If this election lacks credibility, it is hard to see how the [CPA] can survive."