Update from Dane Smith
I had the honor of meeting with Rt. Rev. Andudu al-Nail, Bishop of Kadugli, at his temporary home in Harrisonburg, VA April 16. I learned more about his last recent visit to the Nuba Mountains. He was able to confirm hundreds of new congregants during a four-month stay. Congregations are not necessarily linked to a permanent church building. Because of years of conflict in the area, they have frequently been forced to change location. Often, they meet in the open air under trees.
Funding from Denver, Colorado, collected in honor of the late Fr. Oja Gafour, is being used to pay teachers at primary schools in the area for girls and boys. A significant portion of the gift, however, pays women to sew reusable sanitary pads for girls, enabling them to stay in school for the entire month, rather than taking time off for their menstrual periods. Such activity is highly important to ensuring equal treatment for girls in a country where girls have traditionally been at great disadvantage.
Rt. Rev. Andudu al-Nail, Bishop of Kadugli (Photo: The Living Church, via Sudan Act)
Bishop Andudu will return to the area shortly. He is cautiously optimistic that the Declaration of Principles signed by Gen. al-Hilu, former rebel leader in the Nuba Mountains, and Gen. Abdel Fatta al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, will lead to a final agreement bringing South Kordofan under long-term peace. That declaration announced, “establishment of a civil, democratic, federal state in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief, practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people.”
David Shearer, UN Special Representative for South Sudan (UN News/Daniel Dickinson)
David Shearer, departing UN Special Representative for South Sudan, whose position made him the head of the UNMISS peacekeeping operation, currently the largest in the world, made a striking final statement April 14. He said that South Sudan has great potential for economic viability with tourism and oil if corruption is successfully dealt with. Up to now “elites” have “siphoned off” the available financial resources which are not going to provide services for the people. He called for international pressures to convince the South Sudanese Government to make the necessary arrangements, which require a census and voter registration process, for early elections. At the end of March, Minister of Presidential Affairs Nhial Deng Nhial announced that elections scheduled for 2022 would not be possible because of delays in implementing the R/ARCSS peace agreement of 2018.
The US Government will provide $95 million to the World Food Program to fund emergency food assistance, shelter, health care, safe water and sanitation services focused on South Sudanese displaced and refugees. The announcement was made in Juba April 15 by Ambassador Larry André, who is currently US Chargé d’Affaires. New US ambassadors to Sudan and South Sudan have not yet been named.
COVID-19 vaccination got underway in South Sudan April 6 after a fitful start. The initial phase, using the AstraZeneca shot, is being carried out in Central Equatoria State. Priority nationally is being given to health workers, to be followed by persons over 65. South Sudan received an initial 132,000 doses from COVAX, with a total of 732,000 doses promised so far, far short of what the country will need to meet its goal of vaccinating 40% of the population. COVAX is the global vaccine enterprise, bringing together the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance), WHO and UNICEF.
As conditions permit, I am looking forward to travel to Episcopal dioceses in the US with links to the Sudans in the second half of 2021, followed by a trip to South Sudan and Sudan in early 2022.
Executive Director
AFRECS Focus Area: The Diaspora
SARS-COVID-19 Continues to Spread in U.S.
by Richard J. Jones
Kwathi Akol Ajawin
On March 29, Moses Akol, a senior ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in South Sudan, died in his sleep in Juba. Many friends in the Washington DC area flocked to the house of his brother Kwathi Akol Ajawin in Burke, Virginia to express their solidarity. As a result, someone spread the virus. At least eight people, including Ajawin, were infected and became weak. Younger children tested negative for the virus but struggled because of the illness of their elders. After two weeks of isolation, Ajawin tested free from Corona infection, but was still too weak to work. In addition to his pastoral work with the Sudan African Fellowship and as a former elder of Cornerstone Free Evangelical Church in Annandale, Virginia, Ajawin is also employed full-time by the U.S. government.
While recuperating, Ajawin wrote to friends, “I have taken days off to regain strength and refocus on my loss. Corona was a complete distraction. Losing another brother was too much, but God is good. Very soon we will be back in God’s kingdom business. Our hands are on the plow and we are not looking back until he calls us home. Pray for the peace of Malakal. Come, Lord Jesus.”
As a pastor and community leader, he added: “Though I do understand that in our African culture mourning is a community thing, I will encourage friends in light of the pandemic to feel free to not show up. If you want to show up, then please check your temperature and make sure you have no symptoms. Do not ignore your symptoms in the name of mourning with the family. Dealing with Corona was both emotionally and physically draining. Let’s mourn in a sensitive and smart way. God bless you all. Quick recovery.”
Other News and Notes
New Bishop enthroned in Diocese of Torit
By Phil Darrow, President of AFRECS
Most Revd Ogeno Charles Opoka was installed as the second Archbishop of Eastern Equatoria Internal Province and the Bishop of Torit.
I have learned that on April 11, Ogeno Charles Opoka, former Bishop of Magwi (and who in 2009 guided Robin Denney, Buck Blanchard, and me on a series of visits to Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria, continuing with them to Western Equatoria without me), was enthroned as the Second Archbishop of the Sub-Province of Eastern Equatoria and Bishop of Torit.
When we met in 2009, “Charles”, as we knew him, was a junior aide to Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, He subsequently obtained degrees in Theology and Human Resources Management in Uganda.
During our 2009 tour we visited the church in the village in Twic East where Archbishop Daniel (and Bishop Joseph Atem Garang) grew up. When Charles stepped briefly to the modest pulpit, I quipped, “A future Archbishop!”, and the local priest with us quipped back without hesitation, “It is a prophecy!”.
I don’t think that I am a prophet, but I am reminded that “the Lord works in mysterious ways.”
Other News from Various Sources
From Sudans Post April 14, 2021
Gov’t plans to repatriate refugees
JUBA – The government of South Sudan said it is planning to start the voluntary repatriation and integration of Internally Displaced Persons and refugees located in neighboring countries. According to the UN Refugee Agency, there are about 4.5 million displaced people from South Sudan seeking refuge in Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Speaking to reporters on April 14, Ateny Wek Ateny, Press Secretary in the Office of the President, said “This time window will allow the authorities to conduct a census including repatriated refugees and displaced people.” Wek made the comments during a press conference in response to U.S Senate hearing on allegations by Dr. Peter Biar Ajak.
https://www.sudanspost.com/govt-plans-to-repatriate-refugees-idps/\
From Eye Radio April 18, 2021
Experts advise for cautious lifting of lockdown
By Lesuba Memo
Health officials have advised the National Taskforce on coronavirus to cautiously lift the partial lockdown in effect since early February amidst a decline in cases in recent weeks. The orders were largely disregarded as public transport vehicles maintained their full capacity and other businesses continued to operate.
https://eyeradio.org/experts-advise-for-cautious-lifting-of-lockdown/
President Salva Kiir and his staff get a thermal screening before entering his office at State House in January 2021 | Credit | Office of the President
From Radio Tamazuj April 15, 2021
COVID 19: South Sudan lifts partial lockdown
https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/covid-19-south-sudan-lifts-partial-lockdown
From Associated Press April 13, 2021
UN Chief: 52 armies and groups suspected of sexual violence
By Edith M. Lederer
Sexual violence continues to be perpetrated by both the Government’s armed forces and non-state actors in South Sudan. Rapid deployment forces and armed forces in Sudan have been similarly cited in a recent United Nations report and barred from eligibility to be included in U.N. peace operations. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “Sexual violence was deployed as a tactic of war, torture, and terrorism, in settings [where] overlapping security and humanitarian crises, linked with militarization and proliferation of arms, continued unabated.”
https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-middle-east-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-pandemic-united-nations-922fded7be7df8b9765ec6ab8f522c9d
From Eye Radio April 11. 2021
Bor Doctors abandon COVID-19 center over incentives
By Woja Emmanuel
At least 34 health care workers in Jonglei state have laid down their tools demanding unpaid risk allowances. The health workers at Critical Care Centre, a Covid-19 facility in Bor Town, say the government and its partners have not been paying them for two months. The 34 healthcare workers – comprising nurses, clinical officers, and lab technicians – were contracted by Medical Del-Mundo, a Spanish health agency, to take care of Covid-19 patients.
https://eyeradio.org/bor-doctors-abandon-covid-19-center-over-incentives/
Voice of America – April 9, 2021
UN makes further cuts in food rations for South Sudan refugees, displaced persons
By Winnie Cirino
People in conflict-affected areas of South Sudan collect food from WFP (WFP Peter Testuzza Photo)
JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN – The U.N.’s World Food Program (WFP) says it has been forced to further reduce rations for refugees and displaced people in South Sudan because of a lack of funding. It says 700,000 people this month will see rations drop to just half the recommended daily amount. Peter Mayen, South Sudan’s minister for humanitarian assistance, said the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched donors’ resources and made it harder to raise funds for food aid. Mayen appealed to international donors to make contributions so lives can be saved.
https://www.voanews.com/africa/un-makes-further-cuts-food-rations-south-sudan-refugees-displaced
https://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article69419
From Aljazeera . . .April 8.2021
Kenyan Court temporarily blocks closure of camps
Kenya’s high court has temporarily blocked for 30 days the closure of two refugee camps hosting more than 400,000 people, according to media reports and activists.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/8/kenyan-court-rules-against-govt-plan-to-close-refugee-camps
From VOA – South Sudan Focus . . . April 8, 2021
Commercial trucks refusing to enter South Sudan because of insecurity
By Winnie Cirino
Trucks at Nimule border, bringing in market commodities from Uganda and Kenya
JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN – Hundreds of commercial trucks carrying goods bound for South Sudan have stopped at the borders this week, with drivers refusing to complete deliveries because of insecurity. A series of armed attacks on vehicles in South Sudan last month left at least 15 people dead. The truckers say they will not leave Uganda and Kenya until their safety can be guaranteed.
Several traders told Radio Tamazuj that prices of basic commodities in Juba have risen due to insecurity along highways which has scared drivers from traveling to Juba. Nabukenya Sharifa, a Ugandan trading in Juba’s market, said, “We last stocked food before the Easter holidays and the vehicles which bring food have been stopped. People are killing each other; people are dying every day because of insecurity.”
Daniel Deng, an official in charge of border agents in the town of Nimule, said there are about 3,000 trucks parked on the Uganda side of the border. He said if the standoff continues, prices of fuel and food in South Sudan may start to rise because the landlocked country is dependent on goods transported through its neighbors.
https://www.voanews.com/africa/south-sudan-focus/commercial-trucks-refusing-enter-south-sudan-because-insecurity
https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/juba-residents-decry-high-commodity-prices
From the East African April 8, 2021
UN reunites 58 abducted women, children with their families in South Sudan
By Garang Malak
Juba, The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) during Easter reunited 58 abducted women and children with their families. The women and children were kidnapped during last year’s vicious inter-communal fighting in Jonglei State. UNMISS says the exchange of abducted women and children followed a community-led goodwill agreement between the Lou Nuer, Murle and Dinka Bor ethnic communities.
The result led to UNMISS helicopters shuttling between Pibor, Pochalla, Pieri and Juba to pick up groups of women and children and return them to their communities. The victims of abduction are receiving support from Save the Children and local NGOs Grassroots Empowerment and Development Organization (GREDO) and Community Action Organization (CAO).
https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/abducted-children-and-women-reunite-with-families-south-sudan-3353456
From Reuters April11, 2021
South Sudan’s President appoints new Army Chief
Newly appointed Army Chief, General Santino Deng Wol (Presidency)
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has appointed General Santino Deng Wol as the new head of the army, Kiir’s spokesman said on Sunday, as part of a wider reshuffle within the government.
The director general of the security services and the deputy minister of defense were also replaced in the reshuffle, Kiir’s spokesman Ateny Wek told Reuters. “It was a routine reshuffle,” Wek said.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!
As spring bursts forth in new life, we continue to be grateful that contributions from you, our supporters, enable AFRECS to expand our impact. You make a difference in the essential peacebuilding work of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. We hope you will consider a generous gift of what you are able at this time. You can contribute online at https://afrecs.org or send a check made out to AFRECS to P.O. Box 3327, Alexandria, VA 22302
This issue was compiled by AFRECS Board members Caroline Klam and Richard Jones