Director’s Update
The situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate by the day. Violence has expanded in Khartoum between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with the latter seeming to gain ground. Darfur has seen a return to the situation that prevailed almost two decades ago, which led Secretary of State Colin Powell to level a charge of genocide. In particular the attacks of the Rizeigat Arabs against the Masalit have involved the slaughter of men, women and children. More than 1 million Sudanese have now fled Sudan to Chad, Egypt, South Sudan and Ethiopia, and a total of 3 million are displaced. Government is not functioning, and markets and agriculture have been disrupted. More than 40% of Sudanese are experiencing high levels of food insecurity. Health workers and hospitals have been targeted by both sides.
The talks convened last month in Saudi Arabia by the US and Saudi Arabia involving the military parties remain suspended. Malik Agar, Deputy Head of the Sovereignty Council — and a former leader of SPLM/North from the Blue Nile region — on August 15 called for creation of a caretaker government to end the conflict. There has been no response from the RSF.
Some well-informed observers have suggested that cutting off arms to the two military forces is essential. The whole expanse of the Sahel from Mali to Somalia is awash in arms, but the United Arab Emirates remain a source of new arms for the RSF, while Saudi Arabia has close military ties to the SAF.
A recent survey by Forbes named South Sudan the poorest country in the world, as measured by GDP per capita and purchasing power parity. The flood of impoverished refugees coming from Sudan into Upper Nile and Bahr al-Ghazal regions is a new blow to the economy.
Let the Women Clean it Up
Armies planted land mines in South Sudan; women de-mine, reports the Christian Science Monitor. https://www.csmonitor.com/
Remembering the Refugees
O God of compassion, who said “Out of Egypt have I called my son”, look with pity on the thousands who are fleeing Sudan in fear, and lead them to places of safety and peace.
O Jesus, lover of souls, who fled with your family from the wrath of Herod, be with the refugees of Sudan and comfort them with your presence.
O Holy Spirit, the power of the faithful and the fire of love, stir our hearts for these and all refugees, that our minds may never forget them, our love reach out to them, and our prayers, our alms, and our actions serve to effect their deliverance.
O Trinity of love and power, as you brought your children through water and wilderness to the Promised Land, so bring us through the catastrophes of this turbulent age to the safety of your Kingdom. The glory is yours! AMEN
Comings and Goings
Ezekiel Kondo, Archbishop of Khartoum and Primate of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, has been visiting Egypt for medical and personal business.
In Port Sudan, efforts are underway to build a residence for the ECS. Five Archdeacons are living in Omdurman, and many churches have been looted or occupied by the Rapid Support Forces of General M. Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
Abraham Deng Ater, a researcher for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, continues to translate into Dinka the Scripture selections for Sunday Eucharists at 3:30 p.m. in St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 6780 James B. Rivers Drive, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083 (tel. 770-469-8551), where the pastor is the Rev. John Manyuon Aroch (tel. 404-849-1572).
The principal of St. John’s College in Wau, Philip Abiel Nyok, has thanked the Poole-Wau Partnership for two years of funds to complete construction of four additional classrooms (including roof, but not yet doors or windows).
Survival is the watchword in Sudan, where people are hungry and extremely worn out by the war that began in April. Nicholas Pande reports from the Anglican Communion Office in London that assistance to refugees is being transmitted through Refugee Egypt, The Anglican Province of Alexandria, and South Sudan Development and Relief Agency (SSUDRA).
Simon Chuang Ayok was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Justin Badi Arama on July 16 at All Saints Cathedral, Juba.
On July 26 in Renk he was enthroned as Bishop of Renk, alongside Bishop John Jal who was enthroned as Bishop of Bentiu.
Photos courtesy of Ajak Manyang, Trauma Healing trainer
Arizona Celebrates Helen Grimwood as Godmother
At their Community Center located in a Phoenix shopping mall, the South Sudan Twic Mayardit Community Association of Arizona recently honored Helen Perry Grimwood and her husband Doug for their two decades of support for Sudanese and South Sudanese immigrants. “Aunty Helen has been a godmother to all in the community, as well as a foster and adoptive mother to some,” said Deng Mayik Atem, executive director of the SSTMCAA. “Doug and Helen’s adopted son Deng Kang graduated from Arizona State University in 2022 and is now preparing for a career as a physical therapist.”
Arizona is home to over 4,000 South Sudanese and Sudanese immigrants and refugees. Some originally settled elsewhere, then moved to Phoenix. Helen Perry Grimwood is president of the Sudanese Education Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2005 to help meet educational needs of the Sudanese diaspora living in Arizona. For fall 2023, the foundation is providing scholarship assistance to seventeen students. Helen is a former member of the board of AFRECS.
Many Sudanese families worship at St Paul the Apostle Sudanese Episcopal Church, a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona (527 W. Pima St., Phoenix AZ 85003, tel. 602-253-4094 https://stpaulsapostle.
Deng Atem’s Community Center in Phoenix is open to all African groups to gather and celebrate their cultures. In his desire to bring the people of the South Sudanese diaspora together, Deng publishes Ramciel Magazine, online and in print. Topics range from sports to international managing of the water of the Nile, plus interviews with South Sudan’s ambassador in Washington Philip Jada Natana and Mama Reita Hutson, a local heroine. He also produces South Sudan Music Videos on YouTube. Deng recently published his autobiography, Jumping over the Ram, with a forward by CNN reporter Anderson Cooper.
Where is my Safe Place?
Editor’s note: The bishop of Aweil is Abraham Yel Nhial. The bishop of El Obeid is Ismail Gabriel Abudigin.
Escaping from the urban battlefield of Khartoum, a mother with 8 children trekked 150 miles west to El Obeid in Sudan, then south 200 miles to Aweil in South Sudan, showing up among relatives in the village where she grew up 20 years before. Born in South Sudan, she could not receive assistance as an international refugee. Her northern-born children were too Arab to be welcomed by relatives.
The Episcopal Church of South Sudan calls for serious preparation for 2024 elections
The Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) Bishops have urged prompt execution of the general elections scheduled for December 2024, in accordance with the agreed 24-month extension.
https://radiotamazuj.org/en/
Thank You!
AFRECS breathes because individuals like you care about the peacebuilding, educating, and empowering work of the Episcopal Church in the Sudans. Parishes and dioceses are also welcome supporters. Please act on your concern by contributing here or send your check payable to AFRECS, Box 3327, Alexandria VA 22302. We are a 501(c)3 corporation, and your contributions are tax-deductible.
This issue of the E–Blast was compiled by Richard J. Jones, Frederick L. Houghton, and Philip Darrow. We welcome your news, comments, or concerns at anitasanborn@gmail.com.
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